When you combine alluring Parisian vocals with honey-husky Glaswegian guitar work, you get The Sundown Social Club. This duo represents something that many of us would fight for: the triumph of art and creative expression over the monotony of unfulfilling work, endless bills, and the daily slogs we deal with. So, when ‘Everybody Needs A Dodge’ dropped today, I was more than ready to embrace the duo’s brand of alt-rock rule-bending.
This single is a colourful counterargument to the dull grey areas of life that we must push ourselves through, complete with a homespun touch that celebrates the messy, unpolished chaos of high-spirited rebellion. Mark and Charlotte have built this single on top of a sonic carnival brimming with various influences. From the French pop of the ’60s to bluesy Tom-Waits-style rock, The Sundown Social Club’s inspirations have only made their unique sound all the more compelling. Don’t take my word for it, though; hear for yourself!
Everybody Needs A Dodge
Right off the bat, you’ve got the track’s dynamics gripping your attention, the pace is lively with a bright verve, and the instrumental harmonies feel like an intricately woven drapery of happy-ending, fade-to-credits timbres. Everything about the instrumentation puts a smile on my face—from the fluttery percussive beats to the romantically wistful guitar riff that echoes across the track’s rhythm.
Perfecting the melody’s sunset glow, Charlotte’s vocals decorate the song with a gentle strength that is both hauntingly airy and soulfully rich. To me, Charlotte’s voice is like an intimate blend of Gracie Abrams and London Grammar’s Hannah Reid in that her vocals carry this timeless tenderness. Her delivery has a quality that I like to call the sonic near-touch; it’s a sound that elusively glides across a track’s texture, and because of that, it is even more charming.
I find that, on occasion, voices like Charlotte’s get lost in the instrumentation, but this really isn’t the case with this single. Even though the instrumentals are so vibrant in ‘Everybody Needs A Dodge,’ they don’t overshadow Charlotte’s performance. Instead, they mould to her luminescence, especially when it comes to the string work; Mark’s guitar riff has a gorgeous dreaminess to it that effortlessly complements Charlotte’s breathiness.
Of course, I can’t talk about this track without mentioning the lyrics, too. Lines like ‘Reckless nights and wasted mornings / It’s not like we don’t get their warnings / To never stop running from judge or jury’ had me replaying the song over and over again. What a poetic way to convey the idea of endless, tiring drudgery and the slivers of escapism we yearn for during our ‘reckless nights and wasted mornings.’
As the track continues to its close, the melody shines with vigour, with every element of the song contributing to a sunny surge of spirit. By the time the diminuendo hits, and you’re left with the rippling final note, you can’t help but want more of what you’ve just heard. If you want a song that helps you get through your workday, and—more importantly—a song that truly gets it, ‘Everybody Needs A Dodge’ is the one for you.
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ALT: A person sits on a chair with their back to the camera while looking beyond the shore of a beach into a soft sunset.
The Sundown Social Club
For Mark and Charlotte, music—along with travel—is everything. Beyond that, however, there is a particular type of music that the pair knew would be integral to their collaboration: music that avoids overkill. From listening to their singles, including the highly recommended ‘Memory Lane’ and ‘Dark Bars and Rock’n’Roll Stars,’ you can tell that this is what they’re all about. You strip The Sundown Social Club to its core, and you’ll find two people who want more than anything for their music to be real and resonant.
Given the relatable heartbeat of the band, it’s so easy to root for their values and celebrate their independence and tongue-in-cheek spirit. So, with that said, I know it comes as no surprise that I am eager to see how 2025 plays out for The Sundown Social Club. You see, ‘Everybody Needs A Dodge’ is more than just a new release; it’s a teaser for an upcoming EP titled ‘Foreign Shores.’
Due to release later in the year, ‘Foreign Shores’ will carry and elevate the same down-to-earth energy that made us fall in love with ‘Everybody Needs A Dodge.’ Keep your eyes on The Sundown Social Club folks; there are undoubtedly more bangers on the way!
‘Everybody Needs A Dodge’ is available to listen to across all major streaming platforms right now!
Till next time!