7/10

Over these last few years, New York-based duo Dream Pony have been busy cultivating and developing a distinctive direction for themselves. Taking influence from the breezy indie-rock sound of the 60s and 70s, highlighted by their breakthrough debut single 'Bikini Vision' last year, the pair have been busy revamping those classic ideals to create their own unique take on the genre. And with plenty of praise arriving already, they have looked to cement themselves further with their stunning debut album 'SUSPICION TODAY', a record brimming with warm and inviting textures throughout.

What makes 'SUSPICION TODAY' such a riveting listen is its laid-back approach to both songwriting and production. While the woozy vocal styles of Lou Reed and Patti Smith add a strong template in which to work from, their initial LP oozes this sweet and tender appeal, backed up by their own lively personas throughout. Tracks like 'SUNDAY SUITS' and 'WATCHING THE DOGS' perfectly highlight this endeavour as they look to create a sound that is both familiar but also exploring something individual to themselves as well.

While it is still very early days to judge their impact on the international scene, 'SUSPICION TODAY' proves they already have a strong and solid grasp over their direction and aesthetic. With so much life and passion injected into this new full-length, Dream Pony introduce themselves as one of the more exciting names currently on the rise right now.