New Zealand indie pop duo Foley are back with a bang with their sophomore album That’s Life, Baby!. The duo of Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett continue to further their groove-driven sound with a collection full of earworms and funky hits.
In the new album, the duo continues to blend classic pop influences, throwing back to Michael Jackson and Prince but drawing from modern trailblazers like Charli XCX. The album was conjured up during a songwriting retreat on Waiheke Island with collaborators Josh Naley and Harry Charles. The vulnerability and honesty in its lyrics serve to only boost the record, not detracting from its infectious grooves and pleasant listenability.
The ethos for Wallace and Everett on this album was to deliver strong grooves, soaring synths, and shiny hooks with lyrics that delve into the chaos and messiness that is human connection, and they have done just that with this album. The duo has developed what they describe as a ‘grittier brand of pop’—one that not only prioritises sound and euphony but also pays homage to pop titans of the past while pushing the boundaries of modern pop.
The music video for the title track ‘That’s Life, Baby!’ visualises the exact vibe the song evokes: a sunset drive in the summer with the windows down, for a perfect accompaniment to the summery, cheery instrument work and popping vocals. The video works as an embodiment of what the duo was hoping to accomplish and a successful companion to a powerful opener.
‘That’s Life, Baby!’ lays the foundation for the rest of the album with its rich synths and soaring vocals from Wallace, who sings about unrequited love from the perspective of someone who doesn’t feel the same. In a pop scene full of songs from the other view, it’s a different and refreshing take which reflects the boldness of the album, which succeeds through its complexity and honest lyrics.
Sonically, the opener succeeds through its strong production, and Wallace’s hypnotic vocals mix with the song’s instrumentation, driving home a convincing preview of what’s to come. After listening to and viewing the video for ‘That’s Life, Baby!’ the listener has no choice but to stick around for all that awaits them in the rest of the album.
From the guitar-driven backbeat of ‘Low and High’ to the soothing synth string sound of ‘Heartstrings’ or ‘Cardio’ whose funky backbeat takes influence from the 80s, the album is a collection of infectious disco rhythms that offer an uplifting and fun listening experience.
This album is rife with danceability and a diverse array of inspired sounds and genres, and with this record, the band will seek to ride the momentum from high-profile festival openers for Remi Wolf and Two Door Cinema Club. Foley should be a tour-de-force in the world of indie pop going into 2025.
Listen to ‘That’s Life, Baby!’ across all streaming platforms now.