Tennis' Love Sprawls Towards the Sun on "Pollen" (Mutually Detrimental)
Tennis by Luca Venter
With the release of Pollen, the latest chapter of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley’s love story has unfolded. The indie pop duo better known as Tennis has captivated audiences for over a decade with their signature lovesick mystique, and with its mellow delivery and emotive conviction, this sixth studio album carries the torch.
On the foundations of Pollen, Moore notes that the pair set out to produce an album that gestured more definitively towards the mainstream, and balanced their dexterous production with a clearer concentration on affective lyricism. The inspirations behind the record narrow down—in the loosest sense of the phrase—to “small things with big consequences: a particle, a moment, a choice.”
Indeed, the overarching feeling across the release is that a psychic balance is at stake. Simple motifs like a summer breeze or a winding road act as vessels of complexity; Moore remains fixated most steadily on the gravity of her devotion and its ability to topple over.
Album opener “Forbidden Doors” sets an arresting stage, with Moore’s inquisitive recollections layered overtop of a satisfying bassline. The folk-rock grit on “Glorietta” feels exciting and unexpected, with crispy feedback bookending subtle swipes: “Their patriotic displays are so loud / They’re controlling Eden from the clouds / You can’t resist the urge to dominate / Like it’s written in your DNA”. The sharp retro-pop production that encapsulates Pollen is best exhibited on “Let’s Make A Mistake Tonight”, with a late-disco groove and an earworm of a bridge elevated by Moore’s syrupy-sweet tone.
In comparison to this bold start, the second half of the album feels a bit more familiar. This is not to say that it’s disappointing—devotees of the duo will find plenty to enjoy—but certain moments fade with a passing sigh that feels comparatively less impactful. “Paper” has this floating quality that feels like the song’s on the tip of your tongue – its airiness complements Moore’s confessions of uncertainty. “Gibraltar” sparks some intrigue with its vocal melodies and psychedelic licks but doesn’t land as convincingly as its counterparts.
Ultimately, Pollen builds on the sophisti-pop legacy that Tennis has cemented, sprinkling tasteful experimentation throughout a timeless musical premise – the overpowering beauty of a love that lasts.
Pollen
Out February 10, 2023 via Mutually Detrimental
1. Forbidden Doors
2. Glorietta
3. Let's Make a Mistake Tonight
4. One Night with The Valet
5. Pollen Song
6. Hotel Valet
7. Paper
8. Gibraltar
9. Never Been Wrong
10. Pillow For a Cloud
All songs written and produced by Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley
Drums and engineering assistance by Steve Voss
Ambient noise on “Gibraltar” by Griffith James
Latin translation on “Never Been Wrong” by Alan Sumler
Mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer
Mastered by Joe LaPorta
Album artwork by Luca Venter and Allison Freeman
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