A band with a sly blend of wit and talent, Tchotchke make tunes which owe a lot to acts like Sparks, The Ronettes, and Redd Kross. There's throwback appeal in the hooks of nearly every tune on Playin' Dumb, the trio's new Lemon Twigs-produced album, and plenty of personality. In today's indie landscape, that's especially appreciated.
While opener "The Game" sounds a little like some of those retro tunes Paul Williams cranked out for Phantom of the Paradise (1974), the super "Did You Hear?" soars. It's a bit power-pop, and a bit Brill Building, with trills and frills to kill for. Add in a Brian May-ish guitar solo from Emily Tooraen and you've got a monster of a track. And there are many more here on Playin' Dumb.
Anastasia Sanchez might be my favorite singing drummer since Andy Sturmer in Jellyfish. Take a listen to "Kisses" and you'll see what I mean. "Poor Girl", another gem, is another Sixties-style winner. Elsewhere, "Now I Love You", is built around lovely harmonies, and is playfully clever in the use of keyboards and synths from Eva Chambers, the bassist here too. The title cut is a big tune, and a nice combination of all of the styles of this trio.
It makes perfect sense that The Lemon Twigs produced this. There's a similar Seventies-inspired vibe at work in the music of each band, though it must be admitted that Tchotchke seem to be adding in more Girl Group-era elements here in 2025. Where Tchotchke's earlier songs were playful and borderline funny, there's a sincerity in here that works well with the sweet harmonies and elegant effects. Playin' Dumb stands apart from most indie these days, and the catchy gems here serve up a kind of old-fashioned pop we may not have even realized we were missing. Highly recommended.
Playin' Dumb by Tchotchke is out today. Details are below, or via the band's official website.
[Photo: Taryn Segal]