Dreamers — Reviews — Immortal Reviews

Indie rock has seen massive growth the last few years, spawning some legendary bands. While this may only be their first record, indie rockers Dreamers have garnered a lot of attention lately. Their debut This Album Does Not Exist is out now and it's long overdue.

You won't be seeing a complete reinvention of the genre in this album, but you will find an album that solidifies itself as a statement in the genre. This Album Does Not Exist is a very fun-loving album, having a fresh continuity throughout it's playtime that doesn't falter at all. It starts with the banger 'DRUGS', the song that sets the momentum for the entire record. It's a fun rock track that shows the band's ability to vibe out and enjoy their music. It doesn't feel forced or tense, as if the expectations for the band are stacked against the them. It's free. While some bands may feel pressured on their first release, Dreamers bursts confidently into this new frontier.

This album is fun but also dark at times - 'DRUGS' has a fun composure but the lyrics are a bit dark; while it's mainly about having fun, it does have undertones of addiction in it. It's hard to pinpoint these moments, since the album is so upbeat. 'Painkiller' is the same in that way, the punchy track having undertones in its meaning. It's so fun sounding, though, that you won't really get that while jamming out to it.

The underlying messages mean almost nothing here, though; the positivity of the record makes it too enjoyable for you to have to concern yourself with them. 'Sweet Disaster' starts to move away from the pure rock sound and adds in some electronic elements - the great guitar line is and an underlying synth boosts the track a little further. The older track 'Wolves (You Got Me)', which could be found on the band's sole EP release, has sweet crooning vocals from vocalists Nick Wold and a high synth that soars above the guitar riffs.

It's only the start of the record that's truly special, sadly. The latter half of the record is just... average. By the time 'Cry Out For Me' comes around, it's at the point where you're telling yourself "well, okay. I've heard this already." It's not that any of the tracks are bad by any means, they're all still fun and enjoyable, it's just nothing new from what you've heard earlier on the record. You get the wildness of 'Shooting Shadows' and the Nirvana-esque intro of 'Come Down Slow' that support the record's fun until the end. The only low moment I'd say is 'Lucky Dog' - it still carries the vibe, but it sounds just a tad too pretentious.

Dreamers has a swagger to them you can't find anywhere else. This Album Does Not Exist may not break any barriers but it does solidify their career. It's a successful and fun album, their somber 80s rock vibes meeting a modern touch. Dreamers are off to a great start with their full length debut, and they'll have everyone excited for the next one.

Favorite Tracks: Painkiller, Sweet Disaster, Shooting Shadows

Least Favorite Track: Lucky Dog

Rating: 73 / 100