You may know the name Isabelle Banos as the synth-bassist from the local indie pop group, Caveboy, but under the moniker Ballsy, Banos is taking a new flight. The month-old Bisou EP from Ballsy is filled with sunshine-drenched angst, sometimes feeling like the poetic stylings of Springsteen backed by The Chromatics. It’s difficult to really place this EP under one genre, but these tracks are infectious, sticking with you weeks after the first listen. If one thing is for sure, Banos has a knack for hooks.
“Joe Millionaire,” with its riot grrrl rhythms, like a friend that calls you during inexplainable times, has a chorus that digs in, while a track like “Person” has more of a post-punky flair with its fat bass riff ala Bush Tetras. And the vocal harmonies … madone.
We have to mention the production of a song like “Wannabe” and its underwater guitar tones. In fact, all of these tracks feel fresh and are mastered to near perfection, knowing exactly when to enhance Banos’ voice or a glimmering synth part. For just a debut EP, Ballsy has made something tough to follow up.
