Album Review: Pony Up - Stay Gold

PONY UP
STAY GOLD
(Self-Released)
www.iheartponyup.com

Pony Up's new album, Stay Gold, will be officially released on Saturday. Saturday? Yeah, I know, I know, that sounds odd to me too. I suppose an odd day of the week release is one of the freedoms that come with self-releasing an album. Dim Mak, the label that released the band's first EP, album, and a split 7" with Ben Lee, always seemed like a bit of an odd fit for the working-class girls of Pony Up. It's good to see them venturing out with entrepreneurial spirit and try to break this record on their own accord.

The early years of Pony Up established them as somewhat of a novelty. Songs from their early releases like "I Heard You Got Action" and "Matthew Modine" were sort of playful and silly. Their full length debut, Make Love to the Judges with Your Eyes, seemed like a reaction to this pigeon-holing. On that record, the band matured lyrically and musically, demanding to be taken seriously.

Stay Gold continues the serious songwriting of their previous album. It's possible that Pony Up even take it a bit further this time. Overall, it feels like a slower ballad-oriented record--with just a few faster songs like "Making More Beneath" and "Power of 8" thrown in to keep thing moving. Marriage is a theme across several songs--a far cry from singing about creamy jeans on their EP. In fact, the only thing that really remains recognizably from the band's early days may be their voices. There's something so adorable and sweet about the ways these girls sing. The unique tone of their voices puts a smile on my face even when they are trying to growl out some of the most depressing lyrics.