Indie-pop darlings, The Aces, stole our hearts with their 2018 debut album, When My Heart Felt Volcanic, and they’ve returned to do just that all over again with sophomore effort, Under My Influence via Red Bull Records.
Comprised of Cristal Ramirez, Alisa Ramirez, McKenna Petty, and Katie Henderson, The Aces have crafted up a record full of brimming honesty and endearing relatability. A sublime take on modern love and recognizing one’s worth, Under My Influence is as real as it gets.
Starting off with lead single, “Daydream” – an appropriate beginning to a record full of road trip-worthy indie-pop gems and those special moments of the past we can’t help but romanticize. With a wide-eyed hopefulness that will take you right back to when you were beginning to date a certain someone in your life, the nostalgia on this one will have you feeling all the feels! The notion continues into funk-tinged “New Emotion” where undiscovered feelings about a friend – something we’ve all most likely experienced at one time or another – come into play, making us do a double-take while second-guessing everything. This just might be a part two for WMHFV’s “Bad Love.”
What would a record in 2020 be without one track about the influence of technology and social media anxiety? “My Phone Is Trying To Kill Me” encapsulates that horrible feeling of FOMO we all hate to admit we have while our exes are out there living their best lives, and documenting it much to our inner disdain. In fact, as I write this right now, I’ve had to refrain myself from checking my phone multiple times, so I think we need some assistance here!
New fan favorite and all-around stunner, “Kelly,” really does take the award for the album highlight! Probably the band’s most anticipated track, mixed signals and red flags run rampant, so why does it always feel so right? “Kelly” shall forever be referenced whenever any of us are dealing with indecisive romantic pursuits because let’s be real here: we’ve all dealt with a Kelly of sorts. Also, we are so here for the explicit use of gender pronouns on this record.
“Can You Do” just might be about the Kellys of the world as it delves into those who say but never do; a lesson in practicing what you preach but with some fun, lustful innuendos thrown in for good measure.
“801” comes barreling in with some serious Lana Del Rey vibes while “I Can Break Your Heart Too” serves listeners the tea (and cake) with a deliriously catchy surf-rock meets hip-hop vibe fans will be demanding to hear once tour plans are announced again!
“All Mean Nothing,” “Not Enough,” the previously released “Lost Angeles,” and “Cruel” are telling anthems of love gone wrong – the latter hitting you right in the feels as we reminisce on that one person who may have fucked with our heads (and hearts) on more accounts than we’re proud of. However, with all the agony of love lost, “Thought Of You” is a sweet spot for hope that one day true love will be found and all that turmoil prepared us for something magical.
Speaking of true love, nothing screams relationship goals like “Going Home.” Best experienced on a late-night drive, keep this one handy for that twin flame kind of love.
Closing out the record is the nineties-esque pop gem, “Zillionaire,” proving that all the riches and fame don’t compare to having real love of all kinds in your life.
If anything, Under My Influence takes listeners on a journey of learning experiences; a diary of sorts of women in their early twenties as they figure out life, love, and loving yourself one day at a time. Perhaps a TV series starring the band should be put in order to accompany the album? We’d binge that!
Under My Influence is available now here.
