Sir Chloe have come a long way since their creation by Dana Foote, who wrote the band’s first major hits, ‘Michelle’ and ‘Animal’, on the floor of her dorm room, with 2020’s ‘Michelle’ now accumulating over 190 million streams on Spotify. Following the success of their debut EP, the band went on to release two other singles last year, and now, Sir Chloe – rounded off with Teddy O’Mara, Palmer Foote, Austin Holmes and Emma Welch, release their debut record, I Am The Dog.
A perfect introduction to Sir Chloe, ‘Should I’, is a fiercely infectious opening that grasps demanding guitar lines and pairs them with strong, powerful vocals from Dana Foote that glide over its compelling instrumentation that beautifully highlights the band’s musical expertise.
‘Salivate’ sharply follows, initially moody, it sits upon a foundation of grunge influences yet combined with tones of ’90s indie and riot grrrl. Yet despite these nods to the past, the track still feels fresh and new. Bought to life from Dana’s thoughts of the way shame is used to control people, shaping our desires to be something overwhelmingly dark, ‘Salivate’ showcases a different side to Sir Chloe’s artistry, one that lands the track world’s away from their break-out, ‘Michelle’.
A slice of off-kilter surf-rock that holds some of I Am The Dog’s dreamiest melodies, ‘Know Better’ was interestingly written in just one day, after the band crossed a threshold from writing for pleasure to writing out of desperation. The result is a captivating track that expertly showcases the band’s versatility and skill.
Lead single, ‘Hooves’, has thrashing vocals and vicious lyrics and is filled with references to goats. The band uses this symbolism throughout the album and even in its artwork. ‘Eyes like a goat / Blinking sideways at the show / No shoes on, hooves for toes’, chimes Dana. However, the track is more than just a simple ode to farm life, with the lyrics revealing a deeper plea for understanding and respect for the band’s boundaries.
Title track, ‘I Am The Dog’ then allows Sir Chloe to dip their foot into western, with looping guitars that part ways to make way for Foote’s sultry, slowed vocals that juxtapose its lyrics, as the tracks aggression is hidden beneath the surface of the song – as Dana proclaims that she is ‘the dog under your couch / gnashing teeth, open mouth’.
Closer ‘Feel Again’ is another stripped-back track that packs a serious punch. Dana Foote’s vocals shine as she declares that she’s not waiting around for love, but instead is focusing on setting boundaries and bettering herself. The track is a great example of the band’s now signature sound, seamlessly blending stripped-back moments with a chaotic burst of energy.
Rich in narrative, with glorious vocal performances and doused in reverbed guitars, I Am The Dog is a success for Sir Chloe. Feeling utmost personal with its accounts that delve into the chaos of life, with nods to influences such as PJ Harvey and St Vincent, the album is a remarkable debut that presents itself as the band’s most sophisticated release to date.
