Album Review: The Lemon Twigs – Look For Your Mind!

To capture The Lemon Twigs’ musical essence in a single word, one might use “nostalgic.” Often compared to titanic predecessors like The Beatles and The Beach Boys, whom the duo have consistently cited as major artistic influences, the Long Island group is known for acoustic guitar motifs, soaring harmonies and sugary-sweet lyrics that evoke memories of a simpler time. Their latest album, Look For Your Mind!, released on May 8, encapsulates the very qualities that have endeared fans to them since their debut in 2016.

The album is aurally rich, brimming with catchy hooks and lush orchestration. The standout tracks here are “Look For Your Mind” and “Bring You Down.” The title track features a tasteful use of sitar that helps distinguish it from the rest of the album without overwhelming the song itself. Its chorus is also among the most memorable on the record. “Bring You Down” is an invigorating surf rock-inspired track that embraces the classic theme of wanting to escape the traditional workweek, recalling songs such as “Bang the Drum All Day” by Todd Rundgren. It is worth noting that Rundgren is another openly acknowledged influence on the duo’s work.

The remainder of the album is just as enjoyable and easy to revisit, but by this point the influence begins to feel a bit heavy-handed. Tracks such as “You’re Still My Girl” and “Fire and Gold” start to blur together after several similarly styled ‘60s-inspired pop songs. There will always be room for artists who proudly wear their influences on their sleeves and The Lemon Twigs are hardly the first act to do so. Still, there is a sense that the duo’s growth is being limited by how closely they remain tied to their musical heroes. A stronger sense of individuality would elevate much of this material.

Despite being fun, catchy and highly listenable, Look For Your Mind! occasionally struggles to establish a distinct identity of its own. The attention to detail in The Lemon Twigs’ songwriting remains impressive and many of these tracks could easily pass for forgotten pop hits from the 1960s. Whether that serves as a strength or a limitation may ultimately determine where the band goes next.