Photo of Middle Class Fashion by Chris Bauer
w/ Everevereverever and Monster Planet | 8:00pm | 3509 Lemp Ave. | All ages | $12 – $15
On their LinkTree, St. Louis’ Middle Class Fashion simply state, “We write songs that stick in your head.” Ain’t that the truth: since forming in 2010, the band has excelled at supplying piano-driven indie pop music featuring the stickiest of musical hooks.
Middle Class Fashion started as a duo, just singer-songwriter Jenn Malzone on vocals and keyboards and Brad Vaughn on drums. The band cycled through different sizes, instrument configurations, and band members, including a stint by longtime The Arts STL contributor Brian McClelland on bass, before settling on their current, rock solid lineup of Malzone, Vaughn (now on guitar), Lindsey McDaniel (guitar), Matt F Basler (drums), and Dylan Clubb (bass). Along the way, Malzone, Vaughn, and compnay released five full-length albums and a smattering of singles and EPs whose off-kilter but oh-so-catchy tunes and piano-centric approach conjures the sound of early 2000s blog-pop faves like Mates of State, the Apples in Stereo, and the New Pornographers, though Malzone has a melodic sense that is truly all her own.
The band returns this Saturday night with With Affection, their first full-length album since 2020’s Scary. In the intervening years, Middle Class Fashion was far from dormant, not only playing constantly around town but also releasing a series of singles over the last couple years that form the backbone of the new record. “Criminal Sounds” opens the album with an infectious, giddy beat that explodes into a big, sunny chorus. But Middle Class Fashion don’t run at just one speed, or approach with just one style: “Savory” slows things down with a twisting piano figure as Malzone sings about befriending a stray dog sitting on her front steps. “Violet” starts in a darker place, with Malzone threatening in her lower register to “Treat this microphone like a confessional” over an insistent, driving beat before building to a soaring, anthemic chorus. “Jellyfish” blends the organic and the synthetic, mixing choppy vocals and electronic blips and beats with blasts of orchestral sounds. “Pretty” is all bouncy piano and chiming guitars, possibly the purest pop confection in an album full of them. And penultimate track “Northstar” brings the album in for a landing with slow, swooning surf-rock. The whole album is strong from beginning to end, ten songs that, yes, will stick in your head. You won’t mind it one bit.
Middle Class Fashion will release With Affection into the world with an album release show this Saturday, January 31, at Off Broadway, with support from fellow locals Everevereverever as well as Kansas City’s Monster Planet. Grab your tickets in advance: not only do you get to catch the finest indie pop St. Louis has to offer, but all advance ticketholders will receive a free limited edition With Affection tote bag. | Jason Green
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit offbroadwaystl.com. Follow Middle Class Fashion on Facebook or Instagram, or snag their music via Bandcamp.
