by Philip Moss

Self proclaimed “Valley Kids who dug weird alternative music and weren’t like everyone else”, LA three piece, Rose Dorn, follow up a pair of self released, bedroom EPs with a debut album on Bar/None that pays homage to the songwriters of their youth.

Seven minute opener, Big Thunder, is an anxiety filled ramble – and its loose, sprawling arrangement is particularly endearing as it twists and turns before descending into some unexpected grunge guitars. Lead single, Shaking, shows off the true Rose Dorn sound – Scarlet Knight and Jamie Coster trade lead vocals as it flits between a hazy melancholia and a Real Estate shimmer. Centre pairing LRP and HYC clock in at under three minutes between them – and most closely resemble the feel of the three piece’s earlier Bandcamp releases, with the latter finding Knight and Joey Dalla Betta sharing vocals – delivering a melody that recalls Elliott Smith.

Days You Were Leaving is delightful debut full length that will definitely appeal to fans of Double Double Whammy acts such as Florist and Yowler, or Orindal/Dalliance’s Gia Margaret. This is California pop, but with a twist – and is perhaps more suited to an overcast day spent indoors, than one down at the beach.

Secret Meeting score: 76

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