Alternative band, Girlpool, announced their debut LP album, “Before the World Was Big,” will be released June 2. A single from the 10-song-album, “Ideal World,” was released last month.

This two-woman band simply uses a guitar, bass and vocal harmonies. The modesty of their music brings an intent focus to their lyrics, especially in “Ideal World.” The song is definitely lyric-based and Girlpool uses vocal techniques to convey their changing mental states, from bitter to hopeful.

When sung in unison, “Ideal World” is perceived as a personal narrative. Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker’s vocals blend perfectly, as if it was only a solo performer. Without harmonies, the vocals seem sour and without any optimism. 

The vocal harmonies between Tividad and Tucker add an extra layer of emotion, especially with lyrics like, “Put me on a food stamp, and a Hallmark card/Tranquilize me with your ideal world.” The added harmony brings a sense of hope and confidence the lyrics describe as a struggle because of the disparities of reality. 

Tividad’s steady bass feels like the heartbeat of the song, carrying the melodies through to the final notes. Tucker’s guitar is not as constant, yet it brings a wretched element to the music with every strike of a minor chord. The two instruments seem to complement and challenge each other, one being the side of perseverance and the other, the part begging to surrender.

Girlpool ends the single with Tucker’s guitar solo. As the highest point of the song, the listener feels the conflict of emotions with every note the guitar hits. The steady bass continues throughout the solo until both instruments are brought to a final chord. There is a sense of completeness as Tucker lets her last chord gradually fade into nothing.

This song hits listeners with a wave of desperation and hope that is never satisfied, as so often occurs in life. Tividad and Tucker balance their instruments and vocals perfectly, making their simple music and lyrics significant, even to a lazy ear. With its steadiness and gripping emotion, “Ideal World” is a song that is not easily forgettable.