ALBUM REVIEW: “My Dear One” The Shondes

The Shondes
My Dear One
[Fanatic Records]

The Shondes fit snugly between the worlds of punk and old-time vaudeville. Their sophomore album My Dear One showcases their unique mix of politics and heartache. The album takes listeners through the five stages of grief, making it much more personal than their last release The Red Sea. “My Dear One” opens the album with plucky violin, swelling strings and building tension, with a chorus that feels like it was ripped from a rock-opera. At the core of the album lies “Miami,” a candid look at a break-up that forever puts a stamp on both the history of the band and lead singer Louisa Solomon’s heart. Solomon’s voice is as strong and dramatic as ever as she faces the challenge of picking up the shards of her shattered heart to start over again.