Dream Girl

Album review

Ghost Piss, nom de plume of River Allen, is mad at dudes. Yet, as opening track "(Vali)date Me" will make clear, they're also having a very good time whenever possible. "I would never have gotten my gear/ I would have never faced my fear/ I would have never gotten on stage," they sing over a simple hook leading to a bass-heavy session of ohhhhs and ahhhhs. Their debut album Dream Girl isn't about the anger, it's about the learning curve—with a title that's a sarcastic nod to promises unkept during the lessons.

"Rude Dudes" explores what it must be like to be a jerk. The track borders on punk without losing the obvious pop-lean permeating throughout the record and leads to the irresistible bell-driven opening hook of "See Ya!!!!!," where Ghost Piss gets to the point while wondering … what is the point? "I've been hurt by many many men/ And many many men say sorry/ You said you were different than them/ But you turned out to be the same story" is so to the point and honest that it may end up overshadowing the eons of breakup songs dancing around the issues. This directness is all over Dream Girl. Allen wonders on slow burner "Placeholder" if age is a deterrent for what they desire. "Worry" does exactly that despite a carefree Hinako Omori-esque beat. "It Will Hurt" forewarns what its title proclaims over a simple, lo-fi, techno-esque soundscape before the halfway point adds heavy synth in a Cyndi Lauper-ian crescendo.

"Had a Lotta Fun" remembers a good human in the rearview while admitting there's self-care visible in the windshield. It's a bright and perfect closer to a series of tough chapters for Ghost Piss. While Dream Girl may masquerade as a battle with personal and impersonal demons, it recalls worth and necessity rather than assigning much blame. Yes, Ghost Piss is mad at dudes and yes, bad things happen, but if you dance right through them maybe it's not just a lonely lesson learned. © Jeff Laughlin/Qobuz