Fifth Lucky Dragon is an intriguing new artist on the Indianapolis scene, making quirky yet thoughtful sounds that explore some deep topics. I came across their EP, White Lies & Purple Elephants, almost by chance, yet I’m very glad I did! It’s quite poppy, yet there’s much more to it than simple mainstream pop, adding in elements from lots of other genres to make for one fantastic package.

By Jane Howkins

The first track is also the title track – White Lies & Purple Elephants. It’s catchy from the very start, with an infectious beat that will get underneath your skin straight away. The lyrics are a little on the eccentric side, adding a trippy psychedelic vibe that works well with the eerie synth melodies used in the music. The vocals largely follow the synth lines, which bubble away in a lovely fashion alongside the bass in the background.

Don’t Look Too Far Ahead is a little more like what you might expect from a pop song, although it’s also extremely funky, adding in some 70s inspiration to the mix. The bass is really prominent, grooving away fantastically in the background. The vocals are very clear, raising up to some amazing heights at times to show how good Fifth Lucky Dragon’s range really is! The breakdown towards the end of the song really changes things up, adding more variety to this cracking tune.

Mango is similar to the previous tune, although the tempo is a little faster. The electronic drums have a really satisfying quality, pulsating along with the bass and synths to make something that will get you up and dancing straight away. It’s the catchiest song here, yet it still manages to stray away a little from the typical pop template, showing some fantastic songwriting skills.

All in all, White Lies & Purple Elephant is a great pop record and one that adds something new to the genre. Fifth Lucky Dragon is an artist doing something very different from most modern pop, which is something to be applauded.

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