Tennis - Small Sounds [Album Review]

Alaina Moore/Patrick Riley husband-Wife duo Tennis has been in a pretty consistent rotation around my place ever since I first heard them a couple years ago. Their breezy blend of folk and pop (among other genres) has resulted in them frequently being described as "cute" or "adorable" and after listening to them, that's not a stretch. With their newest EP,  Small Sounds, the group have been able to give a great taste of where they came from and where they're heading. Small Sounds is meant to tide us over until the release of their next LP (described by Riley are "a bit darker overall, maybe a little weird") sometime next year and it does a damn good job at appeasing me while I wait.

Listen to Mean Streets on Spotify. Tennis · Song · 2013.

Highlights on this album are probably the opening track "Mean Streets" and "Cured of Youth". Mean Streets stands out for me in its darker-than-usual lyrics (the song is an homage to the late Laura Nyro) whereas Cured of Youth is a far more rhythm-based song that is probably the closest thing they have ever come to a "dance track". While both of these songs differ from their usual formula, both are quintessentially Tennis and both are incredible. 

Listen to Dimming Light on Spotify. Tennis · Song · 2013.

Other songs like "100 Lovers" or "Dimming Light" would feel right at home on one of Tennis's previous releases (Young and Old comes to mind) with their quick, crisp, and sweet sounds. "Timothy" is the slowest song on the album, highlighting Moore's delicate and whimsical voice, although Riley's guitar picks up near the end. The only thing I have against this EP is that, at only 5 songs long, it doesn't last nearly long enough to tide me over until next year. Sadly it will have to do. But if you do need something to tide you over, head on over here and pick up a copy for yourself