vero – “hello”
very hello indeed. this is a chuggingly thuddingly good pop song courtesy of sweden’s vero, a trio comprising amanda eddestål on bass, clara gyökeres on guitar, and julia boman on vox.
another delight courtesy of the most discerning isabelle, this kicks off with an extreme wah-wah geetar that’s mimicked by a deliciously aloof, breathy and exposed unison “wow!” to connect intro and opening verse. having already announced its brash and unapologetic intent, the production is reassuringly sharp and direct, and features some fabulously kitsch and retro-infused touches, including almost keytar-like pedal-work, tight orchestral hits, energetic flange and pan, and the most subtle deployment of 80′s electro-toms.
"hello” is a well constructed, well intentioned wall of sound, and boman’s vocal manages to span the drama with quite some poise and a matching assertiveness of stride – indeed, you sense something of an irrepressible force to their collective spirit, super-hero stances, super-model shades, imperious glances and dismissive gestures set to destroy everything in their path with a no doubt playful if suitably unrepentant pizazz.
while sweden’s reputation for great pop production somewhat precedes it, it’s nice to hear a bit of rock guitar-squeal and brazen synth-punch to add that head-nodding insistence to proceedings. there’s something almost inxs-y about it, much as vero’s thud is more drum machine driven, but the fact that it hangs so convincingly together is surely testament to vero’s fine and incisive song-writing and some chord progressions.
let’s hope there’s lots more to come from vero following this most confident of “hello”s, and in the meantime, let it infuse your bones with a fearless and courageous swagger to take on all-comers.