What if I told you it was all meant to be we’d be getting amazing new music by a member of the Cyrus family this year? You’d probably make like Leslie and be all like, “Oh, she’s just being Miley!” But no: I’m not talking about Miley Cyrus. I’m talking about her older half-sister, Brandi Cyrus. I’m sorry, what? Uh, yes.
Meet Frank + Derol, a duo consisting of singer Codi Caraco and Miley’s older half-sister, Brandi Cyrus. Originally formed as a trio with Canadian actress Megan Park well over two years ago, Frank + Derol have since downsized to a duo, signed to Interscope Records, and are now preparing to release the off-the-charts incredible lead single from their debut EP in September: “Barely Love You Too.”
The thing about “Barely Love You Too” is that it’s truly everything, more or less (no–certainly more): Built on top of a kicky drum pulse and a hypnotic guitar strum, the song conjures teenage dreams and California nights of the non-whipped cream bra variety: “Stop these games, I’m not afraid to say I’m not ashamed/You know that I would do anything to be with you,” Codi girlishly croons.
Think of the dreamy indie-pop of The XX mixed with the sun-soaked harmonies of The Beach Boys–the result is “Barely Love You Too,” a simultaneously whimsical, charming and ever-so-slightly haunted record.
It’s almost maddeningly perfect, and certainly one of the best songs released this year. And guess what? It’s also free.
