Fake Fruit‘s newest album, Mucho Mistrust, is the soundtrack to the end of summer. Out today via Carpark Records, the Oakland band’s follow-up to their self-titled debut EP is playful, wry, anxiety-ridden, and brilliantly fun.
Fronted by Hannah “Ham” D’Amato, Fake Fruit sounds like what you might get if you collaged together Dry Cleaning, Porridge Radio, Sleater Kinney, Courtney Barnett, The Breeders, some dog-tooth trousers, and a whole load of lime and Long Island iced tea. They don’t seem to take themselves (or indeed much) too seriously; a recent Instagram post suggests you buy their LP to “just watch it spin around your turntable and hypnotize yourself into doing the dishes”. Absurd humour and crunching guitars drive the 12-track LP which feels distinctly DIY arthouse post-punk.
Upbeat riffs are matched with darker lyrics like “all I do is cry” on ‘Well Song’ which ends in a visceral screaming that feels gloriously triumphant. Strumming on softer songs like ‘Sap’ could make your inner indie dreamer heart weep.
‘Psycho’ sees Hannah D’Amato blaring out “I don’t have time for your petty bullshit” and it’s one of those songs you want to scream the lyrics and hot sweaty dance to at an overcrowded gig. Then wake up the next day achy, elated, in love…and relisten to the whole album on the way to work.
They haven’t announced any UK dates as of yet though so keep a keen eye on their socials for updates.
In the meantime, Mucho Mistrust is an album you want to own on vinyl and spin on repeat – preferably while eating strawberry ice cream and journalling about existential dread and the hazy smile of your latest crush.
Follow Fake Fruit on: youtube | bandcamp | facebook | instagram