The Veronicas - Gothic Summer

"Gothic Summer" by The Veronicas has received mixed reviews, with some praising its diverse sound and pop sensibilities, while others criticize its lack of cohesion and perceived lack of originality. The album, released in 2024, features a mix of pop, pop-punk, and electronic elements, with standout tracks like "Perfect" and "Here to Dance". While some critics find the album a fun and versatile listen, others find it disjointed and lacking a clear vision. 

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Delivered relatively swiftly after Godzilla and Human -- the twin 2021 albums that found the duo returning to action after a nearly seven-year hiatus -- Gothic Summer shows how the Veronicas can nimbly follow fashion at the beginning of their second decade as they did at the onset of their career. Gothic Summer is an album optimized for the age of streaming: it's lean, barely lasting 20 minutes -- and that's with an acoustic rendition of the barbed "Perfect" as the record's closer -- moving ruthlessly through stylistic territory without ever landing in a specific genre. Stripping away the heavy dance trappings of Human, the Veronicas nevertheless retain an affection for buzzy electronics and nocturnal club throb. "Here to Dance" is a slice of sharp, retro-disco and "Savage" is a kinetic EDM number filled with bottomless bass drops and a rap cameo from Kerser. Instead of providing the Veronicas with a lodestar, this dance-pop is an accent on a record that is, at its core, a cousin to the fizzy power pop of their earliest records. Underneath the trendy sounds, the band remains a potent pop force.

Ripped to MP3

1 - Perfect

2 - Detox

3 - Here to Dance

4 - Savage

5 - Invisible

6 - Ribcage

7 - Jungle

8 - Perfect (Acoustic)