Recommended Tracks: “Dream Song,” “Swinging,” “Ballerina”
Artists You May Like: Sarah Kinsley, Role Model, Half Alive
Daisy the Great is back with a brand new album, The Rubber Teeth Talk. The NYC-based duo, Mina Walker and Kelley Dugan, found space for introspection after returning from their first headlining tour, laying the groundwork for this playful new project. During this time, Dugan and Walker drew on the distorted logic of dreams to uncover hidden desires from the unconscious. Fueled by this unique inspiration, the album unfolds into its own dreamscape where reality blurs with fantasy and each track draws you deeper into a world imagined on its own terms.
Dugan and Walker met while attending NYU as acting majors. The two agreed to write a musical together for fun, and they’d meet up daily in the lobby of the Marlton Hotel sharing songs and ideas. After completing the musical they decided to start a band, and Daisy the Great was born. Since then, they have released multiple albums, EPs, and singles, organically creating their audience. Since these releases, they’ve collaborated with Claud and Illuminati Hotties on top of touring with the Kooks, the Vaccines, half alive, and playing at Lollapalooza and Firefly. With this growing success, The Rubber Teeth Talk was created.
The only requirements of this album are tight harmonies and a sharp melodic sensibility. The embossed production is a strong representation of the intricacies the project has within it, pulling from the big and small parts of life. The opening track, “Dog,” recounts a tiresome day navigating NYC’s endless streets. It is an upbeat track featuring a gritty guitar solo alongside its infectious chorus singing “tell me the truth, is it all just talk talk talk.” On a more rebellious note, their single “Ballerina” gives the album a flare of rock. The song explores the tension between self-doubt and societal pressure, capturing the emotions of comparing oneself to others whilst being in a world obsessed with appearances. The chorus plays out setting off a spiraling synth that spins like a carousel in a fever dream.
“Swinging” is a quirky track inspired by a time Dugan was administered too much laughing gas at the dentist. The duo dives headfirst into themes of uncertainty and fear as the chorus sings “I’m scared but, I’m swinging.” Following these narratives, “Bird Bones” speaks to the unknowns of grief and pays attention to the comfort found in small, everyday things. The duo grieve the death of a friend throughout the song, but know that the deceased is still with them.
Their song “Dream Song” relishes the joy of dreamlike journeys to places waking life could never mirror. The duo shared, “It’s about confronting the unknown and not feeling afraid, and hoping you can hold on to that bravery and self-trust when you wake up. There is a party in the song.” The chorus pulls listeners in with addictive harmonies, creating the feeling that the vocals and guitar are in conversation. The bridge brings a playful, bouncy groove that makes you want to dance with your friends, fully immersed in the moment.
The Rubber Teeth Talk is a vibrant exploration of vulnerability, imagination, and emotional depth, all wrapped in Daisy the Great’s signature charm. Mina Walker and Kelley Dugan continue to push the boundaries of indie pop, fusing theatrical flair with honest lyricism and experimental production. Whether they’re confronting grief, embracing uncertainty, or dancing through dream worlds, the duo invites listeners into a universe where contradictions coexist and nothing is off-limits. With this album, Daisy the Great prove that their artistic evolution is far from over, and we’re lucky to be along for the ride.
Stream The Rubber Teeth Talk here.
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