Album Review: Mini Mansions – Guy Walks Into A Bar...

Trippy pop is just one way to describe the quirky third instalment from California’s Mini Mansions. With its distorted bass lines and playful melodies, the sound mixes '80s synth nostalgia with modern rock’n’roll.

Guy Walks Into A Bar... follows the story of a whirlwind romance, which begins playful and fun in the energetic Should Be Dancing before quickly getting cheeky in the fast-paced Bad Things (That Make You Feel Good), its thumping bass drums sure to kick start the dancefloor. 

We fall harder and love burns stronger as I’m In Love mixes hopelessly romantic lyrics with a running dark bass line and a striking synth lead that merges disco-dance and techno while maintaining classic rock'n'roll soul. The gritty tone of Michael Shuman’s vocals creates a calm atmosphere among the upbeat jukebox groove, and the influences from each band member's projects (Arctic Monkeys, Last Shadow Puppets and Queens Of The Stone Age) are honoured through the thick mix of romantic energy. 

Before you know it things have taken a turn and hearts are breaking in Time Machine and Works Every Time ("'Cause if you won’t be my girl, then what’s the point in living anyway?”) and despite the melancholic nature of the lyrics, you still want to dance your heart out. Tears In Her Eyes is the perfect slow-burn ending to an album of ups, downs and in betweens that perfectly depicts the soul-crushing voyage of falling in and out of deep love.