Cheek of Her - Megaphonic EP

  by Fiona Hutchings

published: 2 / 2 / 2013

Label: Cheek of Her
Format: CDS

intro

Witty and clever pop on new EP from the Cheek of Her, the project of London-based singer-songwriter, Helen Dooley

The wonderfully named the Cheek Of Her is actually singer-songwriter Helen Dooley. This is my first introduction to her particular brand of 'guts, passion and melodies to spare', having missed 2011's 'Passionate Shit'. The EP opens with 'Beauty Queen' which lulls you into a false sense of security with a bit of plinky piano before kicking into a slightly rocky number pairing sweet vocals with spitting sarcasm. Give me a reason to love you she implores before ending the track with a sneer and command to provide a goodnight kiss. 'Something Out of Nothing' wouldn't sound entirely out of place in the movie 'Grease'. Well. if 'Grease' had slightly more rock and less disco. If as well Sandy hadn't been a pushover who sacrificed who she was, and embraced the idea that sluts in skintight spandex will inherit the earth (and the boorish emotionally stunted boy). 'Yes, It's a Love Song' is the weakest track. The marriage of piano and crashing guitars doesn't quite hit the mark especially as the next track 'Bog Standard Heartburn' proves how well such a coupling can work. It is fabulously punchy and wistful by turns. The EP closer 'The Swell' has a flash of 80's new romanticism with the occasional Polly Jean Harvey infection. There are even spoken lyrics over what could be the harmonies of a choir of flouncy girls lead by the love child of Siouxsie Sioux and Toyah Wilcox. I love this. It is unapologetic, clever, witty and fresh.

Track Listing:-

Band Links:-