It’s a pretty safe bet to say that there’s really no other artist in Boston who sound like Driip. In a city where Rawk is law, it’s refreshing for a group like Driip to find a unique voice and stand out against the sonic tapestry the city has to offer.
On their newest EP, Happy Face, the trio offer up the kinds of tunes I hoped Turnover would’ve crafted after their brilliant Peripheral Vision LP. So, for me at least, it’s great to hear an artist out of Boston picking up the slack in that department by delving into a genre all their own that melds Indie, Hip-Hop, R&B, Electronica, and especially Pop.
But I digress.
The magic that Ryan John Clary, Heather Banak, and Lemmy Maldonado conjure when they write together is gloriously apparent within Happy Face and while “When You Leave Me” instantly sets the tone for the EP, it barely scratches the surface of what’s to come soon enough.
“Notice” builds to this great percussive showcase from Maldonado, accented by keys and Banak’s soulful pipes while “Chin Up” is a sonic about face with a little Lily Allen thrown into the mix here when those Hip-Hop beats make an entrance and combine with Cary’s otherworldly vocal flow. Top all that with Banak’s croon and Driip manage to transcend genres yet again.
Later on, “Chatterbox” is that Turnover sound I wanted and pretty much the bee’s knees especially when the track glistens when it all comes together with Clary’s yearning vocal performance, Banak’s bass bounce and contrasting vox, and Maldonado’s heavy hits. Then there’s “Nighttime” with its’ subtle yet playful keys, led by Banak’s complementary delivery soothing listeners into a dreamy state to further ensnare them in Driip’s wonderful web of aural delights.
And how can you not glom onto a band who end a release with a song called “This Sucks” that’s the definitive new anthem for the disenfranchised? The answer is: you can’t. And with that, you’ve just discovered your new favorite band.
Happy Face is out now through be nice records! You can purchase and/or stream it by clicking here. For the most up-to-the-date and in-your-face info on Driip, including upcoming live appearances, click here or here.
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Great band with a unique and modern sound.