With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Elana Carroll from Chatham, New York is a singer-songwriter, artist, musician and producer. She goes by the name of Party Nails. She has just released her third album, ‘Pillow Talk,’ on Eye Knee Records. The album kicks off with “Same Old Song”. It is a mid paced ballad style song. It evokes early Taylor Swift and oozes emotion, from blues to ultra happy. This is one of the three singles taken from the album so far. Next up is another single, “First Responder”. This is a gorgeous slice of percussive synth pop with some great vocals. I really love “D.R.A.M.A.” it is a quasi rap beat driven pop construction. It reminded me equally of Kelis, Gwen Stefani and Charli XCX. The call and response elements and harmonies with Emma Kern elevate this song into something very special. If you like classy pop with 80s synth styling you will love “Movie Scene”. I can imagine Abba covering this, or if not the Swedish megastars then maybe Erasure! The dark synth riffs of “Bull In A China Shop” add some great musical tension to a fabulous brooding tune. This track was included on the 2023 Party Nails EP ‘Someway Somehow’.

Another single, “Trigger Warning” is next and this is probably my favourite track on the album. It features some delightful electronic sounds. These perfect sonic explosions ebb and flow like the best early Giorgio Moroder forays into pop music. Party Nails finds time for a mostly acoustic guitar driven ballad with “Dirty Water”. This showcases the fragility that Elana can project in an almost ethereal vocal performance. If grunge had embraced more synth sounds, it would have sounded like the title track of the 2023 EP ‘Someway Somehow’. This track would have led the way. The hard edged riffage is offset by a voice that has the clarity and honesty of Karen Carpenter’s best moments. “Do You Know How?” gives the album its most rock moment. There is a frantic, frenetic feel that harks back to the early releases of Lene Lovich. The incessant post punk style riff is mesmerising. The album closes with “Puppet.” It feels like a Stevie Nicks outtake. But it’s one that Stevie really ought to have used. The PR blurb that arrived with the album for review described it as “a genre-bending timeless yet forward thinking album featuring an intoxicating mix of retro synthwave, futuristic electro-pop, and lush indie rock.” It is hard to disagree with that description. It is only January 9th as I type this, but I believe this is a potential contender for album of the year!

If you are in the USA you can catch her supporting Bad Bad Hats on the following dates. You should go it will take you away from the prospect of four more years of the orange moron. Can we get Party Nails to come to the UK please?

Jan 09 Los Angeles CA at The Echo
Jan 10 San Francisco CA at Bottom of the Hill
Jan 11 Sacramento CA venue TBA
Jan 12 Bend OR at Volcanic Theatre Pub
Jan 14 Baker City OR at Churchill School
Jan 15 Tacoma WA at Elks Temple (Spanish Ballroom)
Jan 16 Seattle WA at Barboza
Jan 17 Portland OR at Mission Theatre
Jan 18 Boise ID at Neurolux
Jan 19 Salt Lake City UT at Kilby Court
Jan 21 Cheyenne WY at The Lincoln
Jan 22 Denver CO at Lost Lake Lounge
Jan 23 Colorado Spring at Vultures
Jan 24 Omaha NE at Reverb Lounge

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