EXTENDED PLAY 055: NO FRILLS TWINS | AQUARIUS | ALBUM REVIEW
Words by Sam Elliott and Matilda Elliott.
Trigger Warning: This review makes reference to eating disorders and body image.
No Frills Twins are artists that we hold super close to our hearts, not only due to the fact that they are twins who are powerhouse creatives in their own rights, but they also work impeccably as a duo.
We are lucky to have a personal connection with No Frills Twins. We have loved their music ever since we were early teens watching their YouTube covers and admiring them on Tumblr. Our first ever proper, non-screen interaction with the Aquarius twins funnily enough, was surrounding some more twins, Californian Kings. The Garden were playing and of course we were there, but after spying one of the No Frills Twins, Vanessa, Sam of course had to introduce herself. We're lucky to say we've been able to call these icons friends for a few years now. Thanks, The Garden!
After 11 years of creating and sharing their breathtaking talent with the world, pop icons Vanessa and Arna, also known as No Frills Twins, have released their debut album Aquarius into the world.
The album takes us through a tantalising and emotional journey that No Frills Twins are incredibly successful at facilitating. When you put on this album, you’ll go from swaying, to sobbing in a swift motion. We have dissected this release track by track.
Bed Space
Diving into the album with equal parts gusto and grace, Bed Space takes listeners on a journey that can be all too familiar for lots of us. When a relationship isn’t reciprocated with love or cherished correctly, it can turn sour, especially when the partner pleas that you will be nothing without them. Arna and Vanessa give this type of person a big f*ck you, cooing “You don’t give me no heartbreak, you just give me more bed space.” We love the self empowerment and fulfilling message to this song. After all, if they aren’t helping you grow and nurturing you with love, then it’s time to get your bed space back.
Side note - we love the addition of Arna beatboxing in this one! It is so fun to hear the ladies experimenting with sounds and beats. Such a special way to start the album.
Show Her Off
Show Her Off is a sensual and fun track with a groovy baseline that will send you into a jive. Not only is this song a bop, but it’s a track for the queer girlies, with the love interest in this track being a woman. This tune finds the most fun way to portray such deep feelings of connection and confidence. Even when your partner might not feel like she’s worth being showcased, you feel completely infatuated and in love, you feel extremely lucky to show off your partner, seeing her worth in any state and form. Definitely one to pop on when you're having pres with your friends and want something to dance along to.
Soft Porn
Soft Porn was released as a single prior to the album, giving us a bit of a taste for what was to come with the new album. Sexy, upbeat and fun, this track has us jumping around like we are teenage girls in a coming of age movie, in the best possible way.
Arna and Vanessa also harmonise in such beautiful ways on this track (not that they don’t always do that). We just picked it up particularly on this track, especially in the lead up to the chorus.
There is also an incredible music video for Soft Porn, directed and filmed by Conor Duke and Produced/Styled/Choreographed by Makayla Loves.
Drive You Away
Drive You Away starts the album’s turn to a different direction of sounds to a more softer, vulnerable side. There is still such a deep connection to the human experience that Arna and Vanessa capture extremely eloquently.
Drive You Away has a constant backbeat that elevates the sound of the incredible vocals of the twins as they swirl around the ideas of scaring off a respective partner with the prospect of being “too much” or no longer desirable after being open and honest as a person. We find ourselves constantly coming back to the choral and vulnerable vocals of this track. It is so vulnerable but also so strong. It still leaves us with goosebumps.
Heartbreak City
Another super fun, hyper-pop track that makes us want to dance and yell the lyrics while driving in our getaway car (which is a slightly busted up green machine named Benny). The range of tonal vocals in this track just shows off the incredible prowess the girls have with their voices.
Zombies
We love the title of this one, as we initially thought this would be a cover of the iconic No Frills Twins cover of the iconic The Cranberries song of the same title. We were surprised to realise this is a track that stands on its own and blows you away in the best possible way.
The beat to this one is so fun, it makes you want to move but the lyrics portray a more haunting theme of a lost love and a love that has dwindled and died. Leaving the shell of what once was an iconic pairing.
Golden
Angelic, this track leads us into a headspace that forces us to listen and take on the lyrics that the girls are relaying to us. A glowing and glistening listen, we can’t stop listening to this one and unearthing more meanings. We pick up some anger and aggression there. Almost frustration. Someone is giving all their light and love and is not receiving the same level of nurturing and power.
There is also an incredible music video for this song made by Jazmyn Produces. Warning to people with light sensitivity that there are some strobing effects.
Machine
A self-reflective track that really has the potential to connect to the heartstrings of all listeners in some way or another. The orchestral backbeat combined with machine-like beeps and drum beats really accentuate the desire to disconnect from the underlying feelings of dissonance and disconnect from the world when you aren’t perfect or a cookie cutter who slots into the world perfectly.
My Body
We find it interesting to note that the final track on the album, My Body, was released in both a produced version and an acoustic version. Both create such a unique and beautiful listening experience.
Arna and Vanessa have taken on such a personal struggle that many individuals face alone and have put words and melody behind it. To be able to have a track that resonates so deeply and create such strong conversations is such a comfort. The girls speak to their struggles with body image and disordered thinking and eating. This song captures the minds of many of us and encourages us all to challenge the ways we think. What benefit these negative and intrusive thoughts have and that is so special and impactful.
We cannot deny the fact we both did in fact shed a few tears listening to this one. Both the acoustic and produced versions carry so much weight and passion. It was such a special way to leave the album.
Aquarius is an absolute treasure. We are continually finding new favorite tracks and connecting with the songs through piecing together the intricate lyrics and sounds. Arna and Vanessa have a brilliant gift. They are extremely empathetic to their own feelings. In doing this, they create music that is highly relatable for many different demographics. We implore you to give this one a go.