PREMIERE: Steady Holiday Channels Morricone, The Cardigans on “Superstar”

Dark, sophisticated pop from LA’s Dre Babinski.
PREMIERE: Steady Holiday Channels Morricone, The Cardigans on “Superstar”

Dark, sophisticated pop from LA’s Dre Babinski.

Words: FLOOD Staff

June 16, 2016

While she was recording with Dr. Dog and opening shows for big-name radio acts, Dre Babinski was putting together her own record in secret, sneaking sessions here and there when possible. While it’s not an uncommon story—many a lo-fi masterpiece hath come together in quiet apartments between money-making projects—Under the Influence, which Babinski is releasing under the name Steady Holiday, isn’t your typical personal-recording project.

Take “Superstar,” which we’re pleased to be premiering today. Over a dark and loping country rhythm, Babinski skates her vocals with a delicate grace, the brittle timbre of her voice recalling both Björk and The Cardigans’ Nina Persson. She’s a deft melodicist; in the bridge, she’s trailed by a string section that seems to think it’s wandered into a sweetheart love theme, but as they follow her through the song’s back half, they elide into stately Bond-theme territory, leaving the Morricone-esque opening of the song behind. It’s hard to imagine keeping something like this a secret.

You can give “Superstar” a listen below and catch Babinski in person at her June residency at the Satellite in LA.