Album by Rocket Rules

This one sits right in a musical sweet spot for me.

It blends tweepop, shoegaze textures, and female-led indie rock in a way that feels both dreamy and energetic. The guitars often sound like they’re channeling the jangly spirit of The Smiths, but softened under a hazy layer of fuzz that gives the whole album a warm shoegaze glow. When they reach that point where it sounds like the guitars are harmonizing with each other, it’s really pretty.

What makes the record work so well is how it balances two musical impulses at once. On one level, there’s a bright indie pop album here — catchy melodies, airy vocals, and songs that move at a brisk pace. But running alongside it is a thicker guitar layer that keeps everything slightly blurred and atmospheric. It almost feels like two records happening at once: one built on clean pop instincts, the other wrapped in shimmering distortion.

The songs feel less interested in telling direct stories and more focused on capturing a feeling. There’s a recurring sense of fleeting moments — the excitement of a night that might mean something, or the wish that a perfect moment could last just a little longer. Lines like “I think it might be our time tonight” or “I want to know a way for time to sit in place” give those feelings little flashes of clarity.

“Tiptoe” is a great opener that sets that dreamy but energetic tone right away. “City Sleeps” is gorgeous, floating on melody and texture. “Chapel St.” brings a driving rhythm that pushes things forward, while the title track slows things down and leans further into the dream-pop haze. “In My Room” might be the closest thing here to a straight-up indie pop hit.

Front to back, this is just a really enjoyable listen that kept pulling me back. If you have a soft spot for fuzzy guitars, jangly riffs, and dreamy vocals wrapped around strong pop melodies, Deardon’s Number hits that balance beautifully.

Verdict: Great

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