Posting about the EP ‘Chip Shop Romance’ before it was released, Gingerella promised ‘pure kitchen sink drama’ and they did not disappoint. The EP bursts with realistic observations of everyday life, shining a light on scenes that would be overlooked by most. The theme that weaves through the five tracks (plus a hidden track) of the EP is the appeal of the mundane, the understanding that life and love don’t need to be extraordinary to be beautiful. Brimming with wit and British humour, the lyrics are written with a sharp eye for detail.
Recorded at Le Mob Studios by Brendan Lynch and Max Heyes, who in the past have produced Paul Weller’s solo albums, Ocean Colour Scene, Oasis, and Primal Scream, among others, Gingerella are placed in excellent company.Musically, the EP combines classic Britpop with indie and glam rock. The hook-driven and memorable melodies, jangly guitars and catchy basslines, make ‘Chip Shop Romance’ already sound like a timeless classic with a quintessentially British style.
The opening track ‘Chip Shop Romance’, a light-hearted song with a warm melody, sets the scene for what is to come by describing: ‘I don’t need the love you find in lifestyle magazines / And the songs they’re singing on the radio don’t mean too much to me / I don’t need high society / As long as I’ve got my chip shop romance’. The strings and piano enhance the romantic and hopeful nature of the track.
Next, ‘Coming Up Roses’ is infused with cinematic storytelling and wry observations of everyday life. Wistful lyrics such as ‘she’s done up like a stately home / he’s drenched himself in cheap cologne / they’re not quite sure yet who it’s for’ and ‘I’m sure they could have been in love / but she blinked and missed him looking up’ create a sense ofbittersweet longing and thinking of what-ifs.
‘Don’t Dream Your Life Away’ begins with an upbeat yet introspective melody before it transitions into a cheery and encouraging chorus, perfectly capturing the complexities of coming-of-age. There’s an honesty and sincerity in lyrics like‘came around and collared me / with its cruel, inevitable nature / that pisses on my shoes and says it’s raining’ and ‘on to a winner / when you’re throwing up your dinner’ that is oddly endearing.
The bright and playful sound of ‘Don’t Dream Your Life Away’ is followed by the more melancholic single ‘Goodnight Mr Jones’. Lines like ‘pretending to be excited / for a wedding to which he’s not invited’ and ‘he hits his head on the mind your head sign’ paint a vivid picture. The unexpected twist at the end of the song’s story is enhanced by a crescendo of violins, underlining the tragic finale of the track.
The last track, ‘Cabaret’ starts with a fast intro and contains realistic depictions of mundanity, with lines such as ‘beans on toast, Sunday roast, telephone boxes stained with piss / the glitz, the glam’ that are supported by a twangy guitar and an infectious rhythm. At 9:57 (including the bonus track) it is the longest track on the EP, with theatrical vocals and an almost psychedelic jam section in the middle of it that demonstrates Gingerella’s musical ability and particularly gives the bass and drums a wonderful chance to shine.
Whether it’s ‘The stars above the off licence / are stars enough for me’ or ‘So nice out / but I’ve got a better shout / living within our means / oh two pounds for chips and beans’, Gingerella illuminate the beauty of the ordinary in a clever and delightful way. The songs that audiences have already grown fond of at Gingerella’s live concerts receive an extra dimension with added strings and harmonies on the recorded version.
The ‘Chip Shop Romance’ EP is a charming record with chiming melodies and clever lyrics. It sounds both nostalgic and contemporary, an unpretentious record with songs that linger long after it has finished.
Review by Lea Brost for THE SONGBIRD HQ