Why DMA’S Rejected the Big-Studio Approach on Their Forthcoming Album

DMA’S have revealed they intentionally moved away from the polished production style of their past albums for their upcoming self-titled record, embracing “mistakes” and demo takes in a bid to reconnect with the raw energy of their early work.

Speaking with Variety Australia, vocalist Tommy O'Dell said the band deliberately avoided overworking songs in the studio while making the new album, due out August 7th  via Wonderlick Entertainment in partnership with Sony Music Australia and RCA UK.

“It was just about having the time, cruising through things. But in saying that, we didn’t want to make it perfect,” O’Dell explained. “There’s probably more mistakes or happy accidents in this record than most.”

The Sydney trio’s fifth album marks a notable shift from the highly produced sound of records like How Many Dreams?, released via Mushroom Group, which they were previously synonymous with, with O’Dell saying the new material shares more DNA with their 2016 debut Hill's End.

"We used a lot of demo takes on this record – you know, like actual demo vocals,” he said. “This one and the first album have the most similarities.”

DMA’S also recorded much of the album themselves in a historic Glebe studio, with O’Dell saying the more relaxed approach removed the stress that had defined some previous recording sessions.

“You can’t hear any stress in it,” he said. “It’s been done in a really relaxed and organic atmosphere compared to some of the other stuff we’ve done in the past where it’s very studio based.”

Read the full interview here.