Grade: 90/100
Married couple Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley hail from Denver. Together, they perform as the popular lo-fi pop duo Tennis. The couple’s latest work, “Ritual in Repeat,” takes pages from indie and surf artists from throughout the alternative music gamut.
First off, the primary quality of “Ritual in Repeat” is its ability to keep you invested. Track after track is pure Tennis talent while staying volatile and idiosyncratic. The first track, titled “Night Vision,” has Moore sounding like a shoegazing Debbie Harry belting out a melody that could almost be a lift from Archer Prewitt’s 1999 “White Sky.”
One obvious influence in Tennis’s sound is Fleetwood Mac. “Never Work for Free,” the second song, boasts a supremely Fleetwood Mac-esque title, and it has vocals that call back to the opus “Rumours.” The track also does well to bridge the gap between Tennis and the relatively fresh act HAIM, who has been noted for strong ‘70s pop sensibilities.
As the other half of Tennis, Riley mans the sounds behind Moore’s warbling voice. Tracks like “This Isn’t My Song” and “Solar on the Rise” showcase Riley’s knack for tinkling chimes and wobbly guitar riffs.
“Needle and a Knife” is one of, if not the best songs on “Ritual in Repeat.” In this track, the listener gets everything in one package. There are the ‘70s elements of tambourine rhythm and disco-style drumming combined with classical guitar and watery keyboard effects trickling through the finish of the song.
Ultimately, “Ritual in Repeat” is simply a treat to hear. Tennis has always been an artist to monitor. The couple has been making music since 2010 and “Ritual in Repeat” may be its most self-realized. Tennis keeps together all essential pop elements while maintaining the clean, country club aesthetic like Vampire Weekend.