“Shy Girl” - Haute & Freddy

Shame on Spotify’s algorithm for not bringing this band to my attention sooner. What’s the point of The Algorithm if a band like Haute & Freddy, who are 100% my style, doesn’t get recommended to me? So much for living in the future, right?

Haute & Freddy (Michelle Buzz and Lance Shipp, collectively), have released four singles so far dating back to “Scantily Clad” in October 2024, all of which are positively catchy. I like to describe their sound as the Dresden Dolls meets Erasure. Buzz’s vocal stylings are reminiscent of Amanda Palmer, and their production is solidly mid-’80s with Yamaha DX7-style digital synths and DMX-type drum machines.

“Shy Girl” is their most radio-friendly release so far with a wonderful, sing-a-long melody that would fit well in Cyndi Lauper’s repertoire. The chorus has Erasure-like arpeggiated chords that remind me of stuff from that band’s output during their The Circus and The Innocents era (i.e. 1987-1988).

The future is bright for these two, so check them out because, as they say on their Spotify page, “Come one come all <3.”