Indie buzz is a fickle thing, as are musical team-ups by frontpeople. Going from running your own acclaimed show to working with someone else who’d also run their own show is naturally difficult, as well as begging the question of whether or not this is just a one-off, not to be repeated. But Jay Som’s Melina Duterte and Palehound’s Ellen Kempner pull it off wonderfully as Bachelor on Doomin’ Sun.
As befits the two more relaxed, intricate and intimate artists, Sun is a relaxed, intricate and intimate record, such as the very sweet acceptance to opener “Back of My Hand” or the wry, conversational way about “Sick of Spiraling”. Sometimes it goes full airy, natural alt-folk, like something out of the sixties with “Went Out Without You” and the plucking finish title track. But there’s also the Pixies-like quiet/loud “Stay in the Car” and tech shine into big smash “Anything at All”.
While one obviously hopes that Duterte and Kempner keep up their original acts, Doomin’ Sun makes a definite case for Bachelor being a regular as well.
