Review Summary: Too Cute
In 2009, Sourpatch released their first, cutesy full-length album titled Crushin’ on Happy Happy Birthday To Me (HHBTM). Though their 2010 follow up is significantly shorter in length, Mira Mija has all the pizazz and sparkle one could expect from indie pop.
Recorded in three days during June of 2010 in Oakland, CA, Mira Mija definitely sounds smaller than their first album. And for good reason – the total playing time of the EP is 7:24. The reverb has been lessened a tad, and guitar tones lack the grandeur of previous days. This seems more like a break from the boredom of summer rather than a soundtrack for the months of increased temperature. It’s a short fling instead of a deep love that will last past the start of school. The effect is still wonderful: perhaps a smile and a dance.
1. Deli Dream – It certainly is dreamy. And like all Sourpatch songs, the vocal melody is insanely catchy. The shimmery guitar and the perfectly calculated drum rolls come together to create a magical little world. This is a great, energetic song to start off the EP.
2. Funny Inside – This song continues the energy begun by “Deli Dream.” However, the highlight of this song comes in the form of a glorious bass riff. These low notes are just as cute as the guitar that dominates the rest of the EP.
3. Sky is Falling – On the second half of the EP, the shiny, jangly guitars are replaced by smooth, distorted tones. This song is probably the best example of the “summer love” idea, exhibited by the lyrics, “Could you be the only one for me?” repeated in the chorus.
4. Into You – This is the short, minute-and-a-half conclusion to the EP. The guitars are punk, but in an adorable way. Although the summer love is coming to an end, the catchiness is still there. There is a definitely a little more melancholy to this song than the rest of the EP.
Overall, this is a fun, short release from a great indie pop band. It is not as glowing and grand as the first LP, but it definitely has the same catchiness. We can expect great things from Sourpatch in the future.
Sourpatch is (and always will be, according to the insert):
Christine Tupou
Mander Farrell
Rich Gutierezz
Nicole Munoz
