DMA’S – ‘How Many Dreams?’

Ever since they first arrived with their breakthrough debut LP ‘Hills End’ in 2016, Australian outfit DMA’S have been seen as one of the flag bearers of the Britpop revival. Despite not hailing from the genre’s country of origin, the trio have been quick to establish themselves on British shores these last few years, largely due to the rousing response to their 2020 outing ‘The Glow’. But with the pandemic stifling their ambitions for world domination for a few years, they are looking to give their nostalgic ideals another go on the shimmering fourth studio album ‘How Many Dreams?’, a record that truly wears their influences on their sleeves.

While their offerings to date have certainly been ingrained within that classic guitar-pop sound, there is something about ‘How Many Dreams?’ which sees them broaden their musical scope once again. Dabbling more into the 80s post-punk era for songs like the opening title-track gives this new collection a broader and more adventurous feel, something that they seemed to lack in previous incarnations. With a wider and more innovative direction, it feels like they are growing into their inspirations even more to almost create a unique sound of their own in places.

While it is still very much a love letter to the 90s heyday, ‘How Many Dreams?’ feels like their most ambitious and distinctive full-length to date. Filling itself with a fresh and exciting pursuit of thunderous, stadium-filling textures throughout, it feels like they may be on the cusp of that global conquering sound they have been so keen to develop over the years.