» Album review: DMA’s – For Now Something You Said

Album review: DMA’s – For Now

April 30, 2018

Just over two years since the release of their debut album, Sydney band DMA’s have dropped their sophomore.

The Sydney three-piece, made up of Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O’Dell, have made waves since bursting onto the scene in 2014. Their debut album Hills End hit number 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart, so now that their latest release For Now is out, how does it shape up?

Album opener, ‘For Now’ sounds like the lovechild of a Oasis and Tame Impala collaboration. Its psychedelic undertones provide a distinct point-of-difference to that of the Hills End opening track ‘Timeless’. However, it’s apparent that one important feature that hasn’t changed is the hypnotic, smoky tones of vocalist Tommy O’Dell.

Moving into ‘Dawning’, these first few minutes prove to be the most energetic and powerful. Almost kinetic as they draw you in and command your attention.

However, the most powerful moment throughout comes via the gloriously sweet and sinking track ‘In The Air’. This is undoubtedly the album highlight. Perhaps career highlight.

If there is a song that can you make you feel equally happy and haunted, this is it. It pulls at the heart strings, making even the coldest, most cynical person feel warm.

With the progression of the album comes a calmer, more slowed down feel providing a more stripped-back sound than the beginning. What is adamant though is extremely clean production, which only seems to enhance and highlight the melodies, the lyrics and the rhythmic guitars.

Light and shade is sprinkled evenly throughout, with the quieter moments heard in ‘Lazy Love’ and ‘Tape Deck’, and the psychedelic sound heard in ‘For Now’ is brought back with ‘Break Me’ – another album highlight.

Overall, DMA’s have not wavered too far away from their hugely successful sound, but have simply grown and bettered themselves. There is incredible stamina in the vocals, intricate melody in the guitars and rhythmic defiance in the drums.

All-in-all For Now is a triumphant second album which cements the boys firmly atop the Australian music scene.

For Now is out now.

DMA’S TOUR DATES:

Australia

Friday 1 June – The Tivoli | Brisbane, QLD 18+
Saturday 2 June – Thebarton Theatre | Adelaide, SA Lic. All Ages
Sunday 3 June (Public Holiday Eve) – Metropolis | Fremantle, WA 18+
Friday 8 June – Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC 18+ | SOLD OUT!
Saturday 9 June – Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC 18+ | SOLD OUT!
Sunday 10 June (Public Holiday Eve) – Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages | SOLD OUT!
Monday 11 June (Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday) – Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages
Friday 20 – Sunday 22 July – Splendour In The Grass | Byron Bay, NSW SOLD OUT!

Europe