The third studio album from Momma is an endearing collection of songs that they have affectionately titled Household Name. Mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar, Household Name captures a great indie rock spirit while still remaining true to the band’s core authenticity that came shining through the speakers on their first two records. The new songs drift in the realm of indie rock bands similar to Momma like Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and Beabadoobee, yet some of the guitar tones breathe new life into this group of musicians with a sound similar to Smashing Pumpkins and early-Nirvana. On songs like “Speeding 72,” the lead single from the set, Momma are able to achieve a sound that transcends genre lines and conventional boundaries.
Other early standouts like the slow-building opener of “Rip Off” remind me of what this band is capable of creating when they’re firing on all creative cylinders collectively as a unit. Brooding songs like “Medicine” showcase the depth in their songwriting improvements since the early days of the band, and the group is able to add new layers to their already dynamic sound. “Rockstar” is a great, guitar-driven track that will surely connect with the live audiences they are playing to this late-Summer in support of Snail Mail’s headlining trek, while “Motorbike” rocks along with a grunge-tinged sound paired with heart on their sleeve lyrics with enough veteran poise to establish a rapport with their audience.
The back half unfolds nicely and never loses momentum on songs like “Lucky,” that vibrantly comes through the speakers and engulfs the listener like a warm, comforting blanket. If there are any flaws on Household Name, it’s that the album sequencing gets a little similar in its organization, making it harder to distinguish between one song and the next. “Brave” sounds similar to the earlier material that preceded it in the tracklisting, whereas “Callin Me” and especially “Spider” could’ve benefited from a more prominent placement in the beginning of the set to make casual listeners scrolling through their Spotify more keen on these great songs.
In other words, Household Name rewards the listener with repeat listens and deeper dives into the material by being able to pick up on the little nuances that Momma add to their sound as the album unfolds. The guitar tones in particular on this record really shine, and this band have proven that they belong in this crowded indie rock field. By packing a solid one-two punch on the closing statements of the raucous “No Stage,” and the beautifully orchestrated “No Bite,” Momma have made the next great dramatic leap forward in their already marketable sound.