AllegrA are an indie rock band from Philadelphia, led by Allegra Eidinger, who describe themselves as “a little twinkly, a little emo, a little queer.” Their latest release is the EP yet, not enough, five songs that combine bright pop rhythms with the quiet intimacy of bedroom pop, creating the perfect balance between catchy and emotive and refusing to settle into any kind of traditional structure.
AllegrA say that one of the goals of their music is to “bring you with them into their bedroom studio while they sit and write in the quiet of their mind alone,” a fact that’s clear in the opening of first track ‘Spoon or Fork’. It’s a wonderful introduction to the dynamic nature of the EP, stepping from stripped back guitar & vocals bedroom pop to full blown indie rock with consummate ease. The song sees the narrator visiting the new house of a loved one, packed full of seemingly simple observational lyrics that get at feelings impossible to talk about directly.
Give me a tour of your new house
lead up up and down the stairs
which bedroom belongs to you
can i sit in your favourite chair?
we can order Chinese food and sit on the floor
do you have a spoon or fork?
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‘Comfortable Being Strangers’ introduces itself with rolling cymbals and a glowing thread of guitar, a dreamy pop song that sees Eidinger’s vocals skate away from the steady clip of percussion, while ‘Subtle Ignition’ brings to mind Real Life Buidings in its noisy peaks and hushed troughs and plainly delivered vocals. An indie pop song about giving purpose to small and seemingly useless craft materials, ‘Polyester’ moves from fun energetic verses to almost mathy instrumental sections. “These objects are small, and have no purpose,” Eidinger sings in the final lines, “but I can give them meaning, like I do for myself.”
Closer ‘Twisting Of’ begins patient and considered, before propelling itself forwards, a seemingly effortless coast that allows Eidinger to search themselves and their surroundings to explore the confusing and uncertain times we inhabit.
Your co-workers ask you how you’re doing
bury your hands in your pockets, full of quarters
you aren’t quite sure but you’ll shrug
and you’ll pretend to know
You can get yet, not enough now from Citrus City Records and the AllegrA Bandcamp page.
Artwork by Agatha Monasterios-Ramirez