The Freebies

The Freebies join a select but perfectly formed group of acts—including Mod Lang and The Kitchenettes—who creatively blend 60s girl group pop with various shades of indie retro. On tracks like “Hard On U, Josephine”, “I Love You”, “Kiss Me, and “Luv Is Strange”, this Los Angeles-based foursome combine the sweet charm of classic girl-pop with the edgier, more turbulent side of The Kitchenettes’ recent faux indie-punk aesthetic.

In contrast, songs like Friends and What’s On Ur Mind deliver a raw, three-chord energy reminiscent of the Ramones, battering their pop instincts into a percussive, punk-infused pulp.

However, as the album closes with the triple salvo of “Lucky For Me,” “Valentine (demo),” and “Whatever She Says (demo)”, the band’s punk sensibilities give way to a sparser, more introspective style. These tracks wrap Adam Green-style twee-pop in the atmospheric, understated production reminiscent of The Velvet Underground, resulting in the album’s most compelling and intriguing moments.

The Freebies’ inventive fusion of retro pop, indie, and punk influences creates an album that is both nostalgic and refreshingly original, with its closing tracks standing out as particular highlights and perhaps an exciting route for definite exploration in subsequent releases.

Janglepophub