The Big Ones: Dolores Forever's 'It's Nothing' is everything, plus Blossoms, Jamie xx, Honeyglaze and more | Dork
The Big Ones: Dolores Forever's 'It's Nothing' is everything, plus Blossoms, Jamie xx, Honeyglaze and more
The big releases you need to hear from the week ahead.
The big releases you need to hear from the week ahead.
Words: Dan Harrison.
At first glance, ‘It's Nothing’ might seem like a modest title for a debut album, but Dolores Forever use it as a tongue-in-cheek invitation to explore the profound 'somethings' that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. At the heart of the record lies a deliberate juxtaposition of contrasts — levity and vulnerability, tenderness and frustration. The London-based duo - that’s Hannah Wilson and Julia Fabrin, ‘FYI’ - have crafted a record that is both a raw examination of life's challenges and a carefully constructed collection of accessible alt-pop. Their friendship is the band's lifeblood, a connection that fuels their creativity and authenticity. "Women connect with each other on this amazing level, even in adulthood, and we wanted to make adult female friendship a little more visible," Hannah reflects. "We should value friendships just as highly as romantic relationships."
The album's title itself is a nuanced paradox. "It’s taken from a line in ‘Go Fast Go Slow’: ‘I lie in bed at night and I pretend it’s nothing’," Hannah explains. "Usually, when somebody says ‘oh, it’s nothing’, it actually means it’s really something. That’s sort of a theme across this record, really." This ironic twist encapsulates the duo's approach to songwriting — delving into the 'nothings' that are, in fact, everything.
‘Go Fast Go Slow’ stands out as a powerful commentary on body image. The song confronts the objectification and limitations imposed on women, exploding with a raw energy that is both cathartic and invigorating. It's a track that channels frustration into empowerment, serving as "somewhere to place our female rage," as Hannah puts it. "It explodes with a lifetime of frustration about being objectified, limited and defined by our gender. Feminism is far from completed and we're ready to shout about it."
Friendship and emotional support are recurrent throughout, particularly in ‘Split Lip,’ a moving ode to the protective instincts that underpin deep relationships. The sincere ballad honours their own struggles and their commitment to help each other through tough times. Their bond translates into music that feels both intimate and universally relatable. "Dolores is as authentic and true as we can be; we’re trying to represent ourselves instead of other people," Hannah says.
"Not Now Kids" opens the album with a reflection on feelings of powerlessness in today's socio-political climate. "It’s a really scary world, and we live in a privileged part of it," Hannah observes. "It’s really tough to be so connected to the news every minute of every day and then to try to process that without dragging yourself under." The song doesn't attempt to offer solutions but instead creates a communal space for acknowledging shared anxieties. "If you look at something like ‘Not Now Kids’, it’s all about that sense of powerlessness, like you’re a pawn in a big game of chess," she adds. "But that’s why we make it clear that we’re focusing on what we can affect."
Whilst there are heavier themes on the record, hHumour serves as a plays a significant counterbalance,‘Someday Best’ exemplifies this diffusion in action, addressing body image with a cheeky twist. "Screaming about carbs is empowering!" Hannah exclaims. "We’re basically trying to counter moments of real tenderness with more empowering takes. Obviously, there’s serious emotion around body image in ‘shut up and eat the pasta’, but we wanted to twist some of it so it’s a lighter take on it; otherwise, it would just become depressing."
The duo's songwriting process is intensely personal, a stark contrast to their previous experiences writing for others. Julia reflects, "I think it’s more challenging to write for yourself. When you’re writing for other people, it’s about trying to get into their perspective, whereas this is like using a different part of your brain; it’s quite emotionally draining by the end." This emotional investment is palpable throughout the album, lending authenticity to each track.
The decision to keep the album concise at ten tracks was - obviously - very intentional, but more than just a random call. "When we started, we were both super keen to keep it as a ten-track record," Julia notes. "A few nearly crept in at the last minute, but we wanted it to represent us, and keeping it tight meant we had to really focus on what we were saying and trying to do." This restraint ensures that each song contributes meaningfully to the album's narrative without diluting its impact. Hannah adds, "I’m an overly emotional songwriter; I find points of tension really interesting, but we wanted to make sure it was digestible. If we’d just kept adding songs, it would have become a depressing dirge."
Ultimately, ‘It's Nothing’ is a candid exploration of personal and societal complexities, delivered through meticulously crafted pop songs. In blending the personal with the political, the serious with the humorous, Dolores Forever have created an album that feels both timely and timeless — a true reflection of the world we navigate today. It's an invitation to listeners to confront the 'nothing' that is, in fact, everything.
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