New Music: GUMDROP – EYE CANDY

Christmas Day sees the release of GUMDROP’s self-titled album, and they celebrate early by dropping this cracker.

GUMDROP is a collaboration between Samuel Chown (Shmu) and Jesse Varnam (Buttons), and the two have been very open about the 80s tones of the album. EYE CANDY places itself in the early part of the decade, the kind of bubblegum New York electro and synthpop that would have been blaring out of car and personal stereos back then.   

It’s not immune to the passage of time, however. The glamour of the lyrics carries a riot grrrl attitude to it, and even with that R&B feel to the bass line and percussion, the production nonetheless has a hyperpop sheen. If you didn’t know better, EYE CANDY could easily be mistaken for the missing link between Borderline and I Wonder If I Take You Home.

The duo describe EYE CANDY as “a sticky sweet new wave influenced pop jam venting about the frustrations of trying to keep up with beauty standards during late-stage capitalism. Musically, Andy Summers wouldn’t hate it. & Neither would Kate Bush.”

GUMDROP is out on the 25th of December via Philadelphia’s Grind Select and can be ordered in advance on Bandcamp. For pre-save and streaming choices, check out GUMDROP on Instagram.