Picture Book EP - Songs About Aimee

Picture Book has got to be one of the most exciting yet desperately underrated bands around at the moment. New York born brothers, Dario Darnell and Lorne Ashley, have had a whirlwind of a year. After their debut EP release in January earlier this year, they caught the attention of the masses, including Coca Cola, as they played a show remixing and reworking songs on the fly. After showcasing their true talents as they cleverly re-interpreted Mark Ronson’s and Katy B’s song, ‘Anywhere in the world’ they were handpicked to play shows in conjunction with the Olympics along with other big names such as Dizzee Rascal and Katy B.

Their second EP, ‘Songs About Aimee’ was released on 15^th October, produced by the band themselves and remixed by House legend, Tony Senghore. I don’t know about you, but I find that House music typically has hollow and generic lyrics that don’t really mean anything at all. Picture Book on the other hand, don’t just write music that’s easy to dance too, but their songs are works of lyrical genius’.

The tunes on ‘Songs About Aimee’ are cleverly written and structured; The EP takes you on a journey with the band, travelling through the cycle of familiar feelings during a relationship. The first track ‘Being in Love (For the First Time)’ discusses those infamous butterflies that you get in the pit of your stomach when you fall in love and the stage in the relationship where their annoying little habits are for now, what makes them perfect. The brother’s atmospheric harmonies over a driving techno beat makes for a perfect pop hit.

‘In my head’ is the lead single on the EP. With a noticeably darker tone, but still in keep with the familiar techno beats and infectious melody, the track goes through the stage where their annoying habits are making you ‘despise’ them. Although you’d rather say it to them, it’s best to keep them ‘In your head.’

‘Why Are We Wasting Our Time’ discusses how the ‘summer romance has died’ and, as the press release perfectly puts, ‘articulates the inner strength that is needed to acknowledge the end of a relationship.’ This track hits you with a sudden burst of heavier beats that instantly makes you want to get up and dance.

 At the End of the EP, we’re back to the butterfly feelings of hope for a future relationship after we’ve established that there’s ‘Nothing Wrong With Saying Goodbye’ despite how painful it might be at the time. This track is much softer, slower and delicate, complete again with beautifully atmospheric harmonies.

I hope to and inevitably expect to hear much more from these talented brothers in the near future. Their cleverly written songs are easy to relate to and easy to dance to; I’m struggling to think of a more perfect combination. 

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You can also read an edited review of this article in this week's Tellin Tunes Issue here (skip to the review section).