Single debut: The Charm Offensive "The Safe Word (Is Don't)"

 “The Safe Word (Is Don’t)" is the debut single from brand new Vancouver pop duo, and sweethearts, The Charm Offensive. All heavy synths and crushing bass drum, the band, comprised of Hatch Benedict (of local phenoms Sex With Strangers) and Trish Kelly, has thrown back to the glitz and glamour reminiscent of 80’s club hits. Benedict holds down the verses with a macho swagger while Kelly takes centre stage delivering the chorus in a beautiful falsetto. It creates a nice dichotomy that makes this stand out from tracks employing the standard girl/boy pop harmonies that have become the standard with electronic duos as of late. The song also features one of the slinkiest guitar hooks you’ve heard in a long while. When that pops you’ll feel like it’s 1988 and you’ve just walked into Luv Affair, on payday, and you’re ready to dance the night away. While all of this may not be very of the moment, the duo have a chemistry that helps transcend what would, in any other hands, be an interesting genre experiment and turn it into something not only full of hooks but also full of charm.

Photo: Caelie Frampton