The Brunettes’ bring a new sound with the release of their latest album "Paper Dolls"

The Brunettes' latest release, Paper Dolls experiments liberally with synthesizers and drum machines, a fairly strong transition from their prior work, which usually stuck to a typical pop-rock sound.

According to their MySpace.com page, the group consists of Jonathan Bree on vocals and guitars and Heather Mansfield on vocals and an assortment of other instruments from keyboards and xylophones to a glockenspiel. Their MySpace describes them aptly, calling the band "a testament to just how much joy can be squeezed within the confines of a pop song."

This album definitely contains a lot of joy. All but a few of the album's 34 minutes are almost too adorably upbeat and joyful. The backing vocals on "It's Only Natural" almost sound like the ridiculously pink and fluffy

Pokémon, Jigglypuff, and, in fact, many of these songs wouldn't be out of place in a children's video game.

Even the album's lyrics, most of which are somewhat undecipherable, are overly cutesy. On "Connection," Mansfield sings about someone she saw at "the midtown espresso" and day-dreams about what would have happened if she "had said hi."

Most of the album alternates between Bree's and Mansfield's voices, but "If I" features alternating verses, like the two are singing back and forth to one another. Pitchfork's review of the album describes the duo's dynamic as almost creepy in that Bree sounds to be about 30 while Mansfield "seldom sounds a day over 14."

"Paper Dolls" is their eighth studio album. In addition to their three other full-lengths, they have recorded four EPs, the first of which was self-released in 1998.

Since 2002, the New Zealand duo has mainly worked with an indie record label from their home country, Lil' Chief Records, but their last album, Structure & Cosmetics, was released on major label Sub Pop. Compared to their previous work, this album is far more experimental with the inclusion of synthesizers and drum machines.

Songs off of Structure & Concrete, Mars Loves Venus and Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks have more of a pop-rock sound with a classic guitar-bass-drums combination, sometimes including keyboards and the occasional horn section, while the majority of Paper Dolls is almost overpowered by synth.

For listeners who enjoy more 1980s style electronica, Paper Dolls is a great album that showcases the Brunettes' experimental range. For those who like more typical pop-rock, it may not be their best record to start with.

The duo even seems to acknowledge that their new sound is not for everyone on "Magic (No Bunny)" with the line "Suburban kids may tease our style/ Oh, well all you can do is just show them a smile."
Paper Dolls released on Feb. 2 and is in stores now.