Album Review: Don’t Ever Go Say Hello by Valerie Masters
Alright, let’s dive into this groovy little time capsule from 1966—Valerie Masters’ Don’t Ever Go Say Hello. Released on Polydor in the UK, it’s a quirky cocktail of pop and rock that feels like someone accidentally spilled tea all over a Beatles record. And honestly? That’s not a bad thing.
First up, the titular tracks “Don’t Ever Go” and “Say Hello.” These two songs are like siblings who can’t decide if they’re fighting or hugging. “Don’t Ever Go” hits you with this bittersweet energy—a mix of longing and sass. The melody sticks to your brain like bubblegum under a school desk, but in the best way possible. You find yourself humming it while pretending to be deep in thought at work. It’s catchy without being annoying, which is harder than it sounds. Hats off to Valerie for pulling that off.
Then there’s “Say Hello,” which flips the script entirely. If “Don’t Ever Go” is the moody older sibling, “Say Hello” is the overly enthusiastic younger one waving too hard at strangers. This track has got pep, charm, and just enough weirdness to keep things interesting. There’s something about the way Masters delivers those lyrics—it’s like she’s daring you to smile through the awkwardness of life. Spoiler alert: you will.
The rest of the album doesn’t quite reach the same heights as these standout tracks, but hey, it’s 1966. People were still figuring out what rock and pop could even do together. So props to Valerie for giving it a shot when everyone else was busy inventing flower power or whatever.
What makes this record stick (besides the gum-in-your-brain melodies) is how unapologetically British it feels. Like, imagine Mary Poppins decided to start a band instead of cleaning chimneys. It’s polished yet rough around the edges, charming yet slightly bonkers. Perfectly imperfect.
So yeah, Don’t Ever Go Say Hello might not change your life, but it’ll definitely make your next retro-themed party playlist way cooler. And honestly, isn’t that what music’s all about?
P.S. Fun fact: Listening to this album makes me want to wear paisley shirts and argue about politics in a pub. No idea why.
