BØRNS
Dopamine
INTERSCOPE
7/10
Riding the coattails of his at-times deafening hype, California–based songwriter Garrett Borns, better known as BØRNS, has followed up his recent Candy EP with this collection of shimmering pop songs. Three tracks from the EP made the cut—breakthrough singles “Electric Love”, “10,000 Emerald Pools,” and “Past Lives.” While the latter still enthralls with its Beach-Boys-from-the-future vibes, the rest of this record proves that BØRNS’ ability to write an arresting, beautiful pop song is no fluke. “Dug My Heart” is a sad spun tale of lost love, while both “Holy Ghost” and “American Money” are layered series of seductive grooves that aim straight for the heart. That said, the up-tempo disco glitter of “Fool” can’t quite shake off the kitsch nature of its foundation—as euphoric a final number as it is, it also ends up being quite annoying. Still, this is an accomplished debut album.
