EP Review: What A Night

New Teeth is the brainchild of Floyd Marsden, an already established singer-songwriter of Poneke, Wellington. In this musical outfit, she is the main vocalist and songwriter, playing guitar and piano as per usual. She is supported thoroughly and professionally by Ben McHardy (synths, piano on Ooh La La), Tane Kelly (bass), and Cam Brizzle (drums). The band could be described as indie jazz, with a few cheeky nods to lounge music, 70’s swing and a touch of rock n’ roll. Unlike other releases, she has shared writing with Ben McHardy on all tracks, and with Kelly and Brizzle on three of the five tracks.

This EP, What A Night, is a jazz/rock/pop amalgamation that is generally more upbeat than previous releases. It opens with Jack and Nancy, an ode to Elton John flamboyance delivered with clear diction and playful piano flairs and a hint of the frantic added for good measure. Marsden sings in a clear tenor as she tells the tale of two people meeting on a night out: “Five vodka martinis into the night / Jack walks out of the bar and squints into the light / and nine streets down Nancy stumbles down the stairs / and it hurts but she won’t allow herself to care”. The lyrics are certainly unpredictable, but the syllables land on some sweet spots that make for an interesting rhythm. If you thought those lyrics were odd, just wait until you hear the chorus: “you’ve been making far too much lemonade for the shoes you’re wearing…”. Somehow, it has its own inner logic as it creates the ambience for an odd night out on the town. The bass is especially busy on this track, and the song ends with a (perhaps a bit of a cliché) lounge piano run bringing the story to a close.

Second track Anticipation is far more an ode to Arctic Monkeys than any longue act. The energy really pumps up on this one featuring a riff not too dissimilar to The Strokes’ Juicebox. The tune has an infectious energy with really impressive drumming. Here, the lyrics are less celebratory of throwing caution to the wind and seeing what may come, almost cautionary: “Anticipation makes a fool out of you / Now disappointment will poison your food / Seems there’s a constant ringing bell in your pocket / Secrets in a handheld device with only you to unlock it”. Floyd here is warning the listener of phone dependency and addiction: “Your hedonism wrecks you” she sings, pleading for us to heed her call. The song features a really interesting bridge with a beautiful and dramatic piano section.

Every Floyd Marsden release has to feature one, and this EP’s pointless and silly track is undoubtedly Familiar Ooh La La which is pure 1960’s pop, nearly go-go music. It’s quaint, cute and unabashedly catchy. “She’s become well-trained to recognize your steps … ooh la la / Familiar shoes on the staircase”. The song is gorgeous, short and sweet.

Third track Perfect Moves begins with guitar, demonstrating an unusual chord structure followed by a very complex section when the band joins. This song features the most impressive drumming breaks on the EP between Floyd telling her muse they have “the perfect moves,” between gorgeous jazzy breaks. A few rudimentary rhetorical questions and compliments round out the song: “do you ever take off those dancing shoes? / Ain’t it funny what you can do / I’ve never seen such perfect moves / I never had such a perfect view”. It’s pretty. It’s silly. It’s impressive.

EP closer and single You Don’t Know Me starts off and is built primarily on a descending line on the piano, and although it sounds quite bluesy, the song is positively upbeat, nearly challenging in its attitude. “Whatever made you think that my hand was in yours?” asks Floyd as the song unfurls into the chorus, “no you don’t know me, so don’t you try to own me,” she warns the listener. Here, Floyd really lets fly on the piano, showing off some incredible jazzy sections of blindingly fast phrases, as she sings “push me around and you’ll find out…”.

What A Night is bustling with ideas – it’s jazzy, complex and utterly unique. Unfortunately, Floyd made an announcement a few days ago that this musical outfit will not be continuing for reasons outside of her control so it is a real shame that more people couldn’t experience the band play such fun numbers. No doubt, Floyd Marsden will begin a new group or at least continue as a solo performer, so perhaps these songs may return in another format.