Everyone Smiles. The Maureens

Things went quiet for quite some time where The Maureens was concerned, but the band is back with a glorious album full of exquisite pop music. Peruse the backlog of this blog and you will encounter all three previous albums of the band and a show here and there. With Everyone Smiles things are no different.

In The Netherlands in über pop there is the band Johan. Coincidentally, it's new album is slated for next week, 26 January. In my opinion the band coming closest to Johan is The Maureens. The band around singer and songwriter Hendrik Jan de Wolff masters perfect pop close to and beyond perfection. The record was recorded with Frans Hagenaars, closing the link with the Excelsior Recordings band Johan.

Enough of that band. The Maureens survived the pandemic, not in the same line-up though, and returns with an album that cannot be called anything else than a triumph. Everyone Smiles is filled with superior pop songs that easily leaves behind most of the competition, anywhere in the world. The pop level of the songs is so extremely high. The soft flowing songs are adorned with beautiful melodies and exquisite harmonies. There's not a single song on the album without these characteristics. The Maureens are on a roll and know it. The band is extremely confident in sound and presentation.

All things on this album start with The Beatles. CSN harmonies enter the mix and from there a timeline unfolds right up to 2024. The band added elements that suited it best and then presents the best of itself. With Everyone Smiles the band succeeds for the fourth time. The development it shows is in the sophistication of the songs. The quest for the perfect pop song is an ongoing endeavour.

Promo photo

Not all is smooth pop songs and balladry. The band rocks out as well, moving closer to Britpop of the 90s, with tight rhythms and rhythm guitars. The bass becomes more prominent e.g. in 'Warning Sign', with some great walking bass parts. The main part of the album consists of slower songs where the band plays around an acoustic guitar from which all is built. Delicate guitar parts, soft melodies and those vocals where all options must have been explored and found, they are on the album in abundance. Trademark The Maureens, I venture.

The quality on Everyone Smiles ought to bring the band more success than it has had so far. The new album goes well beyond the quality of the previous three, already more than good albums. All lovers of pure pop music can find songs here they will soon love once heard. The question is can it become much better in 2024? The year is fresh but the level of releases already very high and The Maureen's new album is in that list alright. Everyone Smiles is a dream of an album. I am left with another question: Has The Maureens reached the summit of perfection? Time will tell.

Wout de Natris

Je kunt Everyone Smiles hier bestellen en luisteren:

https://themaureens.bandcamp.com/album/everyone-smiles