Allison Weiss – New Love

With the release of her SideOneDummy Records debut, New Love, Allison Weiss has finally fulfilled the immense potential inherent in the plethora of EPs and albums leading up to this moment.  Known for her emotional delivery much in the same pseudo-melancholy vein as indie stalwarts Tegan & Sara, Weiss’ current step is her biggest as an artist.  While she has jumped around from acoustic pop to indie and pop-punk between releases, New Love picks synth-pop and runs with it.  As quickly becomes clear, Weiss has the musical heft to make it in the big leagues without compromising the underlying sincerity defining the reputation she’s gained in her time under the radar.

Opening with the cautious minimalism of “The Sound,” Weiss reminds listeners of the subtle touch that first got her noticed.  Expressing herself at her most exposed, she lands each whispered note with the unmistakable candor that captures the confidence Weiss has made her own over her journey.   After such a delicate entrance, Weiss begins infusing layers of bells, synth and a distant acoustic strum in a light but tight production that feels like Weiss’ natural next step.  “Who We Are” takes little time settling into a joyous pace that mirrors the wide-eyed, fresh-faced chorus call, “let’s go find out who we are.”  As with her past endeavours, Weiss continues to find success in the line between adolescent naivety and emerging maturity.

Weiss has always demonstrated that she can channel a whole lot of heart, and she expertly maintains herself even when the songs enter their catchiest, poppiest arcs.  Such moments burst to life in the lively pulsing synth beats of “Back To Me” and rumbling, undulating bass of “Golden Coast.”  The former even frames the chorus line, “my baby’s coming back to me,” as the type typical of singing along to a “top 40’s pop song” in the driver’s seat.  Some such moments, like “Motorbike,” even achieve similar heights on a solid dose of fuzzed up indie rock.  While song structures typically take on bigger approaches, even the simpler, more subtle moments like “Over You” have little difficulty holding up to their more expressive counterparts.

As far as potential breakouts go, Allison Weiss stands poised to make her mark on the mainstream without turning her back on the subtle charm that she’s built her glowing reputation on.  New Love is the summation of Weiss’ allure as an artist with a nod to her evolving identity and future success.  A big moment for Weiss well worth being a part of.