Fake Dad, the indie rock-meets-dream pop duo composed of Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, has released their EP, Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine. The project promises to dive deep into a sonic and narrative universe as surreal as it is personal. With seven tracks exploring fictional characters in imagined worlds, the EP offers a window into their most intimate experiences.
Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine is a musical journey that blends fantasy with introspection. Andrea and Josh have crafted a world filled with angry burger-flipping clowns, star-crossed knights, and masked sleep-paralysis demons. Yet, beneath these seemingly absurd narratives lie profound reflections on their identities, sexualities, and the dynamics of their relationship as a straight-passing couple.
This narrative approach isn’t new to rock history. As Fake Dad themselves point out, artists like PJ Harvey, Stevie Nicks, and David Bowie used characters to explore and reinvent themselves. On this EP, Andrea and Josh do the same: they use fiction as a mirror to confront and understand aspects of their own lives.
In musical terms, Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine is an eclectic mix of influences ranging from 90s rock to new wave and dream pop. Crunchy guitar riffs, groovy basslines, and buoyant synths create a vibrant soundscape that matches the eccentric characters inhabiting it.
Tracks like “Little Fake” featuring Alice Ivy, “Crybaby,” and “WANTO” make up the EP. “Machinery,” the EP’s final single, stands out for its infectious energy and meticulous production. With lyrics that oscillate between the surreal and the deeply personal, the song encapsulates the essence of the project: an exploration of the duality between what’s shown and what’s hidden.
Other highlights like “So Simple!” and “ON/OFF,” featured as editorial picks on Spotify, demonstrate the duo’s knack for crafting catchy hooks without sacrificing lyrical depth. Each song is a piece of a larger puzzle, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in Fake Dad’s world while reflecting on their own experiences.
This EP not only represents a step forward in Fake Dad’s career but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting future. With a US tour that includes performances at festivals like SXSW and Treefort Music Festival, the duo is ready to bring their music to new stages and audiences.
Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine defies expectations and redefines what it means to be authentic in music. Through outlandish characters and surreal narratives, Fake Dad creates a project that’s as fun as it is moving and as experimental as it is accessible.
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