We've come to the point in the story where we stop comparing the output of Dehd to other bands. Over the course of at least their last three records, the Chicago trio has perfected a sound that's uniquely their own. And Blue Skies, the new one out tomorrow on Fat Possum, is maybe their best yet. There's nothing here that's not catchy as hell, really.
Lead single "Bad Love" thumps and claws its way into our hearts and ears over and over again, and the shouty "Empty in My Mind" exerts a similar pull. Emily Kempf, Jason Balla, and Eric McGrady sometimes sound like they're simultaneously playing in different bands, but, in some magical fashion, the pieces will suddenly congeal and stick together like glue, wrapping around a hook that's as tenacious as that of a Top 40 hit, and as loose and free-spirited as anything American indie has coughed up in decades. It's just damn hard to not love this stuff, is what I'm really trying to say.
Blue Skies benefits from Balla's production, with the tracks retaining a lively quality that invigorates even slower-tempo rambles like "Memories", the closest we come to a misfire here. Also working in the band's favor is the relative brevity of the selections this time out. A number like "Window" is textured, building up from a modest intro, but it's also under four minutes and still the longest cut here. The ability to pile up elements and keep things moving and concise is admirable, and with each record Dehd seem to be earning the title of being one of the best American indie bands operating these days. Blue Skies isn't necessarily going to surprise anyone who's heard the last couple of Dehd offerings, but it will certainly please a listener. A crash course in the charms of this Chicago three-piece, this new record is a sure contender for one of the best things I'm going to write about in 2022.
Blue Skies is out tomorrow via Fat Possum. More details on the release and the band via the link below.
[Photo: Alexa Viscius]