GLASS DOLLS - Old Friend
GLASS DOLLS is the project of my TOTAL NADA bandmate Etienne, who also plays in WAYS OF HIDING, RECALL, and likely filled in on drums or guitar in the last band you saw... Last year he started playing shows with a backing band of friends and released the debut GLASS DOLLS EP. At the time I was bit disappointed - not because the EP was bad, but because all the songs I had gotten to know from the live shows were missing! The EP seems to be a collection of songs that predated the live show. Old Friend is a full LP, comprising those live songs and several more. A lot of work went into these songs, and it shows.
While the 2025 EP leans bit more indie-rock, Old Friend straddles stripped-down postpunk and melancholic lo-fi synth pop. Overall this is a sad record, and not in the gloomy gothy vampire-vocals way. Just earnest genuine emotion. I might caution you before listening to it if you are already feeling down. But after only one listen you will surely have the guitar lead from "Echoes", the bassline from "Black Cloud", or a fragment of lyrics stuck in your head which somehow won't feel so sad.
Currently this is just a tape available in person, but I wouldn't be surprised if you see this released on vinyl later this year.
Listen here: https://glassdollsmtl.bandcamp.com/album/old-friend
Scott