The Aquadolls, an all-female indie punk-rock band from LA, has released another full-length album titled Charmed. Titled after the ‘90s/‘00s TV show, where three sisters use their witchcraft to battle against the forces of evil. The album is influenced by “early aughts nostalgia”, a time of naïveté that we love to romanticize. Conveyed through a mix of 90s crunchy guitars, sparkly synth and high harmony background vocals.

Starting off the album, “Far Far Away” is an energetic summer anthem that serves as a rally cry for those determined to reclaim their independence. It presents a twist on the concept of the working class, emphasizing that the ultimate savior is yourself. The up-tempo song is complemented by lively surf-inspired guitar riffs reminiscent of early Vampire Weekend, complete with hand claps and a chant. The lyrics delve into the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, acknowledging the painful reality of being stuck in a monotonous 9-5 routine. It creates this feeling disconnected from personal growth, success, and love. For me, it invokes the angst I was constantly wrestling with while working my first job.

“Spotlight” is about romanticizing, maybe even developing a crush on a stranger. Watching her dance at the bar leads to asking to dance and fantasizing about bringing her home. A catchy, beachy guitar riff over a surf beat serves as the hook for this song.

“Burn Baby Burn” is a fiery track represents a powerful statement of defiance and strength, featuring bold vocals and a commanding 90s grunge-inspired sound. It serves as both an anthem of resistance and a declaration of empowerment. The track is filled with a punk spirit, exuding an attitude of defiance that is incredibly addictive.

“Sneaky” has a dreamy instrumental that’s shoe-gaze adjacent that’s met by a hard-hitting chorus. It’s a classic story of romantic angst through a modern lens, it’s a story of wrestling with being someone’s dirty little secret.

The dissonant melody and harmonies stand out in “Any Place But Here”, with a quick lead up into the upbeat chorus. This song is about thinking about women, constantly, while in a relationship with a man. The writer is presumably stuck in the closet, mustering up the courage to break out of this relationship that she feels stuck in. This song serves as a fun anecdote for something deeply relatable, perhaps for girls who briefly identified as bisexual.

Right from the jump “Scream” is intense, with crunchy distorted guitars and a four on the floor beat. This one’s short and sweet, I think it would serve as an excellent intro to a corny early 2000’s highschool drama movie.

“Your Heart Belongs To Someone Else”is on the indie pop side of things. Telling a story of a hopeless romantic hooking up with someone who has recently been broken up with. The song begins with the lyrics “I knew from day one that I was not the one for / you had this cooler girlfriend who was covered in tattoos / she kinda freaks me out but I also had a crush on her too / till the day you told me that she was done with you”. The rest of the song tells the unfortunate story of being someone’s rebound.

“Beachy” delves into the challenges of emerging from a worldwide pandemic and dealing with subsequent loneliness. In the prolonged isolation, we’re left with the thoughts of missing those we are far apart from, yet come to understand that self-love is crucial for navigating these difficult times. The song features a heavy reverb guitar and girly pop vocals. 

“Cut Throat” The album ends with one last hard hitter that is arguably inspired by bands like The Runaways. With continued cynicism and crunchy guitars, the song ends with one last punk roar.

The Aquadolls embrace a lighthearted and humorous approach in their lyrics, they explore relatable themes of love, relationships, heartbreak, and longing for more. With their new album Charmed, shows the growth in The Aquadolls’, it’s a blend of melodic ’60s harmonies and ’90s-driven edginess with a contemporary twist, marking a new era for the band. They’re serving up a girly and modern take on glam rock punk.  Despite their evolution, The Aquadolls maintain their guitar-driven sound, which has become their signature. They’re a kick-ass punk rock band dedicated to spreading messages of self-love and positivity, making Charmed an ideal step forward for them. The Aquadolls say “They are comfortable growing up with their audience — who view things through never perfect, Vaseline-tinged view of the world.”

Follow the band on Instagram.