Seraphina Lotkhamnga on November 4th, 2013

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Singer-guitarist Kristen Gundred – aka Dee Dee Penny of Dum Dum Girls – has proven that songwriting and innovation triumph over mere aping of garage-rock and girl-group stylings from the past. Both the full-length “Only In Dreams” and “End of Daze” EP made our year-end lists for 2011 and 2012, respectively, and it sounds like the forthcoming “Too True” will become another contender for 2014. Teaming up with the usual suspects again, Gundred recruited Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, the Go-Go’s) and the Raveonettes’ Sune Rose Wagner as producers for a sound that is sleeker, darker and sexier. Whereas “Only In Dreams” was cathartic and reminiscent of Chrissy Hynde, new songs such as “Lost Boys and Girls Club” channels more of Pat Benatar and what Gundred calls “Cold-wave Patti.” This first single boasts slow-motion drumming paired with a chic echoing guitar riff, a combination that has made the H&M-sponsored and Cody Critcheloe of SSION-directed music video an easy opportunity to explore both fantasy and noir themes with faux-leather. “Too True” is slated for a Jan. 28 release via Sub Pop.

||| Previously: “Lord Knows,” “Coming Down,” “Bedroom Eyes”

||| Live: Dum Dum Girls play Jan. 28 at the Echo.

Photo by James Orlando