Don't Get Lemon - Working Man's Ballet

In 2019 post-punk, darkwave, and synthpop influenced trio don't get lemon released their debut EP "grey beach". The Texas based outfit utilized lo-fi synthesizers with modern day production on instruments to craft something that sounds retro-futuristic. Following an in-house mix of their song 'the crest of a wave', they released their follow-up EP "Forward Not Forgetting". It was with this release that the trio attracted à La Carte Records as the label released the EP in a cassette format and garnered praise from various publications such as Darkness Calling, WhiteLight/WhiteHeat, and more. 2021 sees the trio continue their synth-laden journey with the single 'Working Man's Ballet'.

The band has stated that this single is about the footballer Alan Hudson whose manager called the game "The Working Man's Ballet". don't get lemon explains, "“We thought that phrase was so rich and so loaded,” states the band. “The dichotomy of the working-class and extreme wealth, masculinity and femininity, just a silly game and high art.” 


What receive on the song, then, is a grand blend of bright synthpop tunes mixed with further lo-fi sounds. It's quite interesting listening to the song, as it reminisces old school radio jams though it maintains an air of noisy prosperity. The vocals on the track fit quite nicely; deep, brooding, and hit nicely in the mix. The only bothersome part of the song comes around the three-minute and twelve-second mark wherein the sounds of an old football game takes over the majority of the song while the beat is left in the background. This takeover continues up until the four-minute and thirty-six second mark. I understand that the song is about football, but I did not come to this track to listen to commentary about football. I came to listen to the music. Nonetheless, once the beat returned I was happy once more. 

'Working Man's Ballet' will be released on a 7" flexi disc in just a few days. While it may be hard to justify spending eight bucks on a single item for one song plus shipping, I think it's worth it as a collector's piece - especially since the song is quite good! Seven-out-of-ten. 

This review was commissioned through our Ko-fi page.
May 24 2021