Be Perfect is the debut EP from London-based multi-instrumentalist Dandy Lion. The pseudonym for Priscilla Eyles brings strength and openness to a project that pushes against negative thoughts regarding love and creativity that so often affect people. Coming together over six years, the thought and care put into this EP is obvious.
That push begins with a cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up that Hill.” Dandy Lion’s alt-pop aesthetic makes this cover uniquely their own, adding a darker side to it. The song has a similar energy to the original, but with a skittering, less danceable beat. The beat and style mimic the act of running up a hill: it’s uneven and rugged. “Running Up that Hill” is a strong start to the project. The entirety of Be Perfect continues in the same vein as the opener. “You” and “You Can’t Make Me Happy” have catchy bass grooves and intricate beats. The latter has an acoustic guitar riff sprinkled throughout that adds a lot to the track. “I Can’t Deal With You” features some abrasive (in a good way) electric guitar and synth. Both are heavily distorted and darkly catchy. The closing title track dives into Dandy Lion’s thoughts on the creative process. They grapple with ideas of success and perfection, saying, “Do something / be productive / be perfect.” Artists commonly put this type of pressure on themselves and having it laid out in such explicit terms is very effective. Be Perfect is a strong debut showing from Dandy Lion. The project’s aesthetic is fully realized, and the songwriting is strong from front to back. I love that Dandy Lion doesn’t provide any concrete answers to the struggles they face on the EP. There is no perfect love or art or way of being, as the EP’s title suggests is possible. Instead, it is the struggle of each person to let go of that perfection. I think Dandy Lion is still working through this. But they are well on their way
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