Rock band Nicotine Dolls navigate the complexities of love on debut LP ‘an Attempt at Romantic,’ a captivating record that undulates between hopeful romanticism and unbridled attraction.

Stream: ‘an Attempt at Romantic’ – Nicotine Dolls

Prepare to fall hard for Nicotine Dolls… if you haven’t already.

The band’s debut LP, an Attempt at Romantic, is an irresistible listen that begs to be on repeat.

From the first few beats of the smoldering lead-in track “Backseat” to the final heartbreaking notes of “Still Saying Goodbye,” the album is a mix of nostalgia, hopeful romanticism and unbridled attraction. But what initially sounds like a collection of songs with classic themes of love, lust, loss and redemption, reveals a more complex relationship with self-reflection, acceptance and resilience.

an Attempt at Romantic - Nicotine Dolls Cover Art — an Attempt at Romantic – Nicotine Dolls

The pop-rock quartet – comprised of Sam Cieri (vocals), John Hays (guitar), John Merritt (bass) and Abel Tabares (drums) – knows what they’re doing when it comes to those slow-dance-in-the-kitchen kind of songs. “nothin’ i do” is a perfect example – relying on only an acoustic guitar allows Cieri’s undeniable emotive ability to create an unforgettable track that will undoubtedly make its way onto wedding playlists.

What they do better than most is creating big, breathless moments that would be a perfect match for a ’90s style rom-com. “In My Opinion” sweeps up listeners with lyrics like “Kiss me and laugh like you mean it. Tell me it all turns out fine. Hold me till I start believing I’m in the arms of the rest of my life. In my opinion, you’re the reason I try.”

What may be even more appealing than Nicotine Dolls’ ballads is how they connect with people on a deeper level, standing as an ally and creating anthems that resonate with their ardent community of followers.

The best example of that on this album is “Walk Again,” a dynamic track about finding your footing after untold hardship. It’s reminiscent of the band’s 2022 release “Hate It // Fight It,” about overcoming mental demons, albeit with a more hopeful tone.

Cieri’s evocative vocals drive home the intensity of lyrics like: “What happens now? Now that the words don’t make sense. I’m lost in the trees and I’m down on my knees… I will fall and crawl until I can walk again.”

Throughout the entire album, the singer-songwriter proves he is one of the most underrated talents of our time. He has a remember-to-blink ability to completely enthrall listeners with a dizzying vocal range and undeniable intensity; easily moving from an impeccable falsetto to a rasp found in the depths of Springsteen’s repertoire.

Each of the musicians have their own stand-out moments, including Hay’s scorching guitar solo on “Next to Me” and Tabares’ core-shaking crescendo on “I Need Love.”

Everything about an Attempt at Romantic is done with great intention, right down to the subtle, straightforward Chris Stapleton-style country vibe on a couple of songs to the strings on “In My Opinion” and “You Won’t Have Me” – one of two collaborations with iconic songwriter Diane Warren. They also partnered with Sam Hollander (who’s worked with Katy Perry, Weezer and Billy Idol) on a few tracks, including the euphoric free-fall “Touch the Ground.”

Nicotine Dolls’ an Attempt at Romantic is out now on Nettwerk Music Group. Fans will have a chance to hear the new songs live when the band kicks off a 28-city headlining tour in Montreal on March 20.

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