Fun Sized. Hayley and the Crushers

Hayley and the Crushers have already come by twice in two posts on recent singles. 'Church Of Flag' and 'Jacaranda' have received a favourable review, where especially the former stood out as an extremely great single. So how does the mini album Fun Sized hold up?

Let's first take a look at who this band is as this is its first album on this blog. The band is from California's San Luis Obispo and describes itself as "poolside glitter trash", just so we know. Also "one part punk-pop, one part sunny surf" comes by as a description and that I'll abide to. Hayley Crusher Cain fronts the band on guitar and singing. Dr. Cain wields his bass, while Action Ben Cabreana is the drummer. Musically the band looks in the rear-view mirror to music that was made in the late 70s to late 80s. The band has two previous albums to it name, 'Vintage Millennial' (2020) and 'Cool/Lame' (2018).

Here I start with the punkpop side of Blondie, but also the Go-Go's are a part of the mix but what to think of a song like 'Walking On Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves? Hayley sings very much like Debbie Harry did but has the much better and stronger voice. What is more important is that Fun Sized is not only called this way but is fun all around.

Hayley and the Crushers are able to make music that blends pop and punk in an utmost way. The result is songs that are instantly recognisable and likeable. Yes, you may correctly state that this has all been done before, but my answer is that when this is done this good, the comment becomes inconsequential. From the first guitar strokes of 'Jacaranda' the lover of punkpop is in punkpop heaven. The kind of song that aims for the head, the heart, the legs and the mouth. Just try to sit still and not sing along. I dare you!

Promo photo: Jenny Ashley

'Church Of Flag' was the correct first single of Fun Sized. The song is the toughest of the six and the melodically the best. It resonated with me immediately and remains to do so. The kind of song that I could play all day and put it on once more just for good fun.

The four songs that were not released as singles, show that liking the two singles wasn't a coincidence. The three Crushers show how tight as a band they are, how they fill the sound spectrum as a force, like a trio setting must and don't lose the melody out of their sight no matter how tough they are playing. A nice bass run when the guitar plays tight chords, the drums like a powerhouse, just some details to be aware of when listening. A song like 'Water On Glass' is the best song Blondie never made and I can even imagine it as a cover should Blondie ever release an album again.

As a final comment I will point to Hayley's voice. No matter how loud, tough and strong the music becomes, she always masters the song. There's no need to scream, to shout, to exert herself. Her voice always sounds like she is truly singing, with ease and comfortably. This is something that is not given a lot of singers in this genre. She presents herself as the woman she is without having to try to be tougher than she is. The combination is totally charming. I love hearing her sing this music.

All fans of poppunk, powerpop, whatever you would like to call it, this is your music. Fun Sized is a fun sized album alright.

Wo.

You can listen to and order Fun Sized here:

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fun-sized

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g