Mini Mansions’ new album, The Great Pretenders, is here with the first single, Death Is A Girl, available now. The introductory fast-paced track embraces dreamy psychedelic pop as much as 80’s new wave, and plays out with a sense of urgency, daring you to stand still.
Hailing from California, Mini Mansions’ musical venture was born organically, fated from a shared love of punk rock and melody. While each member made his own way individually, Mini Mansions formed as jam sessions turned into recordings. (Shuman is the current bassist in Queens of the Stone Age, Dawes has served as a studio hired gun and has worked with Brian Wilson, Kimbra, and longtime mentor T Bone Burnett, Parkford releases music under his solo moniker Mister Goodnite.)
The Great Pretenders ambitiously reflects the depth, variety, and musical/compositional interplay between these three distinct individuals. It’s also probably the only record you’ll hear this year that features both Brian Wilson and Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner as guests – indeed, its entire song cycle teems with that kind of surprising discovery.