Not So Sweet. Pearly*

Although Pearly* released a self-titled EP in 2024, it made it to these pages with thanks to the Flying Nun newsletter announcing one of the singles on its debut album Not So Sweet. That wetted my appetite to hear more and that more has come by several times in the week after the release of the album.

Pearly* is a four piece from Dunedin on New Zealand's south island. The band consists of the singers and songwriters Joel Field (guitar/vocals) and Phaedra Love (bass/vocals) and Ryan Hill (guitars) and Josh Nicholls (drums). The band formed only in 2023 and sounds more than mature, without losing anything a new band needs. Not So Sweet is made to be heard at festivals and in larger venues. The songs have strong inner dynamics and allow for the moments of joyous explosions in the moshpits around the world.

It is easy to characterise the music Pearly* plays. Huge alternative rock. Together with producer Nick Roughan they decided to skip a modest begin and show what the band is really after, success in many countries. The two songs opening the album all go for the greatest effect possible. If anything, I hear Smashing Pumpkins riffs flying around in the opening track, 'Never Teach Again' and that trick repeats itself after the modest opening of 'Superglue'. The band mixes it with dynamics, so that the ultimate sluggishness of the harder rocking songs of Smashing Pumpkins is avoided. Both Pearly*'s singers have far nicer voices than Billy Corgan at that.

Promo photo by Pearly*

In the title track and third song, a more mystical and dreamy sound is introduced. There is some Wolf Alice of old in there, just like in the way the song goes for it in the second half. Phaedra Love's voice takes on a dreamy quality that puts Pearly*'s music in a different perspective. To be honest, I'm glad the album takes an early turn, as it makes the album more mysterious and better.

You won't see me putting in writing that Pearly* is the most original band recently, except for that * in its name that is. But that said, the music on Not So Sweet is extremely attractive and energetic. Like I wrote, exactly what a young band needs. With that I can put the band on a line with recent albums by countrymen Earth Tongue and Mystery Waitress. Just listen to a song like 'I Wanna Be Like You'. Sparks fly and not just a few. Immediately the band puts the foot off the gas and surprises with the far slower 'Opposition City'. This certainly is one of the extra's provided by the band, as it is far from a one trick pony.

By now I'm following the New Zealand music scene for close to a decade and it never seizes to amaze me what level of quality comes from this smaller nation, so far away from my hometown. Pearly* is the latest surprise, but no doubt tomorrow or the day after the next one will present itself to me. Not So Sweet is an album you have to listen to and buy if you're into alternative rock.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Not So Sweet here:

https://pearly1.bandcamp.com/album/not-so-sweet