Julie Mazzone and Melissa Allen are cousins but also in the pop duo Party of Two. They released an eponymous three-song single entitled Party of Two. The duo aren’t kidding when they say pop. Their songs have this quality to them where you could imagine the songs being played in a pharmacy store like Walgreens, on a TV commercial or while you are in line at your local Starbucks.
The EP starts with “All Mine” which is a very bright, chipper and optimistic love song. It’s almost too perfect when it comes to the lyrics but perhaps that's the point. The words paint this extremely rosy and perfect idea of what unending romantic love can feel like. Their music reinforces this idea where no single crack in this relationship can be found. The spark never dies from this fountain of love you are receiving from the other person who was “meant for you.” As someone who has been around for thirty-eight years I know relationships are much more complicated then a pop song and even if you are with someone who fits you in every way it can still be hard. Relationships are volatile, complicated and sometimes that person you thought was going to be your spouse ends up taking all your money and is now dating a person who is better looking than you, makes more money than you and could easily take you out in a street fight. Ok, I’m half joking but my point in all this is that perhaps a pop song like “All MIne” doesn't need to be realistic. It can be that fantasy or daydream you can get lost in for a couple minutes. Up next is “Next To Me” which is a ballad and breakup song. Unless you have been living in a cave for the last twenty five years you have heard plenty of pop songs which are coming from the same exact place. They close with “Giving Up” which is another break up song but closer in spirit and mood to “All Mine.” This song is about moving on from a breakup and sounds similar somewhere between Shania Twain and perhaps The Dixie Chicks. The pop that Party of Two play is so on the nose of what the genre feels like the majority of the time that I couldn’t identify the traits which made them singular. They have obviously done their homework and have no problem writing a commercially viable pop that would work on FM radio. My one piece of advice is to think about ways to differentiate themselves and create a singular sound for themselves. I want to be able to walk into that store and recognize a Party of Two song when I hear it even if it’s my first time listening to the song. Overall, I think this young duo showed talent as well as future potential. I wish them luck on their journey and hope to hear their music on the FM dial real soon.
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