Now, Now returns with style and grace 

Six years in the making, the return of Now, Now with Saved proves it was well worth the wait. The lush album is filled with tracks sure to find their place on summer playlists. KC Dalanger and Brad Hale have found a sweet spot in electronic pop-rock, balancing synth layers with measured percussion and topping it all off with Dalanger’s dreamy vocals. Saved takes us through a search for salvation with religious imagery laced into tracks such as “Holy Water” and references to soul-searching road trips on “AZ.” 

Saved balances its tracks between two distinct sounds. Some are heavier on the electro-pop vibes while others feature acoustic guitars and lean more toward pop-rock. “MJ,” “AZ” and “Yours” are a bit more rock ‘n roll, while “Can’t Help Myself,” “Window” and “Know Me” play more with electronic tendencies. However, the skilled use of synths throughout maintains a unified album sound. The rock tracks fit right in with the likes of Haim and Michelle Branch and are prime driving tunes for sunny days. The electronic tracks are more of a highlight though, because this is where the synergy between Dalager and Hale is on full display. A high point is the use of vocal sampling on “Know Me” that purposes Dalager’s voice as an instrument in a way that many bands attempt but often fail. 

The later “Drive” is a ballad that suffers from some cliche lyrics (“pull me closer / driving home with the windows down”) and a relatively generic sound but is an overall successful song that comes at a perfect point on the album. “P0WDER” is a great way to close out the album as one of the more complex tracks on the album that traverses multiple styles in its five-minute length. 

Saved is a wonderfully produced album that proves at multiple points the magical symbiosis of Dalager and Hale. Featuring 12 tight tracks, each crafted with precision, this long-awaited album proves that even in the age of instant gratification, sometimes patience pays off.