An independent multi-instrumentalist from South Africa, Roscoe Nefdt who is behind FiveSidedDice starts the year 2024 with a cute EP called “Silly Songs for Clever Girls”. The release becomes the starting point of the band’s rather active 2024.
The EP starts with the “Lil Miss Melancholy” with a upbeat tempo and dense arrangement grabbing the listeners attention right away. Using elements of nineties slacker rock and 60s pastel pop, the song narrates the experience of unrequited love and is about a boy with unrequited feelings for a sad girl. The beats in the background and rapid sequences offer a pulsating feeling to the ears throughout the performance.
“She’s A Computer”, the second song on the album, is the more innocent and subtle tune with soft dreamy indie rock aesthetical. This melodic and sweet song complements the previous one really well, indicating the band’s versatility as FiveSidedDice. The EP then changes its tone with ‘The Crystal to My Meth’ a song that goes forward with glamorous pop passion, punk attacks, and rock zeal. This track can be described as a splendid rendition of power-pop sound, although beginning from a slow pace, gradually goes all out and ends up being a brilliant 90s punk track.
The last song is “Riddle Girl” and it is more emotional and introspective ending for the songs in the EP. It is centered on a secretive business partner who happens to be an autistic person who uses only proverbs and parables. The melody used in the first part of the track symbolizes the humble and pensive mood and is good for the conclusion of the songs’ set.
The album was Recorded at FiveSidedRecords studio, Gqeberha, South Africa, and mixed and mastered at home studio in Northamptonshire, England. In terms of personality, the EP is a breath of fresh air as it is not a typical pop punk or emo record.
Every listener interested in bright and diverse music can listen to “Silly Songs for Clever Girls” to stay tuned.
