Alt-pop duo Fake Dad explores an invigorating new sound on their upcoming single, “FASHION GIRL,” out April 14th. Following recent releases “maybe next year” and “New Machines,” the duo delivers their second project of 2023 and perfectly captures an electrifying, cathartic, throwback 90’s grunge sound that is a departure from their usual discography, demonstrating their versatility as both songwriters and performers. Birthed from Fake Dad’s deep dive into Russian Dark Wave (and post-punk bands) and a tragic falling out with a fashion major (childhood) best friend who hailed from a wealthy UES Manhattan type family, this song is about the insecurity and sadness hidden behind the eyes of so many of the people the fashion industry swallows up with the promise of beauty and power. It at once exalts, criticizes, and empathizes with them, aiming to hand the fashion girls back their power and grant them an opportunity to reconcile with the ephemeral love and power that masquerades as the ideal, golden shell of a life. Listeners can expect to hear a sound reminiscent of 80s New Wave (New Order, Joy Division, The Cure, Talking Heads) for a non-male-led era. In other words, all the female-fronted, angsty energy of 90s riot grrrl/bikini kill punk along with its slightly more pop-leaning, bratty (yet still unequivocally angry) early 2000s sound reminiscent of bands like No Doubt, The Cardigans, Alanis Morissette, Paramore, and P!nk.
Having caught the attention of esteemed music media like Ones To Watch, Bridge Music Magazine, Luna Collective, and also landed themselves on multiple Spotify editorial playlists over the last year, Fake Dad is eager to show fans and critics a new, unheard layer of their artistry. The duo collaborated with co-producer Ricky Berotti (Anna Shoemaker) to bring the song to life while front-woman Andrea de Varona led the writing process. At first glance, “FASHION GIRL” is a fun, energetic track that calls upon listeners to let-loose with contagiously danceable reverb-soaked Oberheim drum machine patterns, messy driving distorted guitar, heavy bass, and surf-rock style riffs. With a deeper look into the single, Fake Dad speaks to an untapped, silent pain that so many people carry around with them about constantly being made to feel like they will never look good enough, be pretty or hot in the right way, and the unacknowledged frustration – and rage – that they live in a world that assigns so much of their worth to people’s ability to live up to superficial ideals. Fake Dad wants listeners to experience a sense of catharsis from this track, “whether it’s someone who dedicates their life to changing themselves into something that looks good enough, or someone who wishes they could opt out of the value system entirely, there is an anger that needs to be released.”
