Long Fling is the brainchild of Dutch indie musicians Willem Smit of Personal Trainer and Pip Blom of her self-named band. As well as a ten-year, personal relationship, the two artists have an intertwined history on the Amsterdam music scene. They’ve shared stages and swapped band members, with each individually achieving critical acclaim. It seems only natural, then, that the two join forces on a fresh new project – and Long Fling’s easy-going self-titled debut LP is proof that two brains are better than one.
After warming us up with two singles ‘Flung’ and ‘Cool Bottle Water Park,’ Long Fling returned with their full-length album on October 10. Characterised by food and animal-based puns, lightly growling guitars, and rhythms with heavy earworm potential, the album is sweetly cartoonish without crossing into overly saccharine territory (as can often be the danger with duets).
The album offers an ambivalent view of their everyday life, picking out the fun in mundane scenarios and painting them in vibrant colour. As far as opening lines of albums go, “Remember that time we had Chinese for breakfast / and you threw up in the sink” is a pretty strong one. This intro to ‘Pig,’ a playful back-and-forth reenacting a love-hate relationship, sets the tone for the rest of the album on a high. It’s the clear standout track, earmarked with vocals that alternate then overlap as the chorus reaches its peak. Continuing the animal theme, ‘Mouse House’ is a roaring track built around an addictive hook, interspersed with explosive drumrolls and fluffed guitar.
‘Cool Bottle Water Park’ is an undeniable banger, but situated in the context of the album, it takes on a whole new lease of life. The up-tempo, penetrating track exhibits the power of Blom’s vocals juxtaposed against Smit’s quintessentially post-punk drawl, as they blast out the quirky, avant-garde lyrics at lightning speed without ever sacrificing articulation. The pair veer into new territory with ‘Shoes,’ whose rumbling beat and static bassline verge on drum ‘n’ bass, while still fitting comfortably into their instantly recognisable brand of indie rock.
The album exemplifies a winning partnership between the two artists, pulling together the strongest elements of their shared talents: imaginatively sunny lyrics, innovative guitar hooks, and a happy-go-lucky attitude. It’s a sturdy beginning, marking a promising future for Long Fling.
