I’ve decided to use my lunch break at work wisely for once and write about a new record from a band who quite frankly- should take over the world.
If like me you have a soft spot for bands like Hole, Bratmobile, Babes In Toyland- then you will fall madly in love with CreepCave. Their EP, The Greatest Form Of Resistance is the kind of record you hope kids hear and go on to start their own band. We need more bands like this- pointing out the wrong in the world, offering self-acceptance and just a brutal take on how fucked up the world is. In the midst of this, they’ve created a safe space with their music. It’s beautifully loud and a divinely raw record. I don’t feel like I’m in 2024 listening to this record- I feel like it’s the early 90s and Riot Grrrl is taking over. I feel like it’s 2003/4 and I’m discovering it for the first time myself and adjusting internally to who I am.
Alex’s vocals on this record are something else- if they sound this perfect as a recording, then my god you can only imagine how powerful they are live. Bessie plays the guitar in this captivating haunting way giving off this fuzzy sound that lures you in. Then you have Amy doing some otherworldly shit on the bass that grips you in ways you probably didn’t think the bass could. Shivi’s drumming brings it all together in the most euphoric way; everything comes together in the most perfect way, and I think this really shines on the (just under 6 minute mark) song Educate. A song that evokes the urgency of educating how boys see girls and how they treat them and starting young to educate them on respect and listening is so vital. We all need to be like that.
The sheer heaviness of this record really gets you in the gut, and you can hear this beautiful and infectious confidence in the band on every single song. You just want to be part of their gang. That addictive Doom/Sludge sound mixed with something we’ve yet to name is just so pure and just everything I want from music. I want the loudness. I want the lyrics that could make someone feel uncomfortable. Speaking of feeling uncomfortable- if you’re not left feeling uneasy when you hear You Took It, then listen again. And again. Until it clicks. That song needs to be heard from everyone and anyone.
I want to touch on the song Float which may be my favourite (at the moment) and I love the subtle temp change for the last minute and a half of the song. It reminds me of A Senile Animal record by the Melvins- especially the drums. The lyrics are peaceful, but the sounds are the opposite, and this is exactly why this record is so easy to fall in love with. The clash of sounds works so well, and you just can’t help going back to listen again and again. Only a fool would find fault in this record.
CreepCave make such important music; the lyrics are vital and deserve to be heard and they deserve the world. They are one of the most exciting bands around, and I just love that they combine everything I love about music and have made their own sound accessible for all. They touch on topics many shy away from and make it so easy to relate to. From the second the record opens with Bucket Season; you just know you’re about to listen to something truly magical.
The record ends on Fairytale- the shortest song on the EP, and the second it stops all you can do is go back and play the EP all over again. This record oozes some serious raw and real power that will speak to so many who are forced to be quiet. Sometimes, even the quiet ones speak up and the way CreepCave take these subjects and make it so you can easily connect with is so beautiful. There is so much heart on this record and it’s so refreshing to find a band who TRULY mean what they say and live it.
There are so many records that have been released by Slovenly Records that are just incredible, and one of their most recent is debut by one of the best Japanese bands around- Angel Face. This is a proper rowdy and loud record that will totally annihilate your eardrums. A glorious Punk record and a solid debut record.
The record kicks you in the kisser with You Ain’t My Angel and immediately you can hear that snarly tone that Stiv Bators had on this record. This is everything I could possibly want from a Punk record and so much more. They make the kind of music that would have your neighbours making noise complaints about. I’m pretty sure it’s scared off my cat too but to be honest, she’s scared of the spray mop I bought so I won’t trust her judgement here.
This record is something else. If you love bands like Bruise Control, Pancakes, Dead Boys- I could go on. If you love them, then you’re going to love this. Angel Face will make you want to sell whatever you own that’s of worth so you can fly off to Japan and immerse yourself in the Punk scene there. This is some rowdy shit that you cannot get enough of. I want everything I listen to to be as loud as this.
They’ve only been making music together since 2021, but this record sounds like something from ’76 or ’77- it’ll make you feel like you are discovering Punk for the first time, and you’ll wonder how you made it this far without it. How did I make it this far without this record? Every song on this record will make you feel like you’ve snuck into somewhere you shouldn’t have. Bad Feeling and I Can’t Stop are the ones that’ll have you waving your limbs about the most. Then you’ve got the ferocious Bring Me Back; the vocals on this are SO good. That proper gritty and menacing style; it’ll make you feel super tough when you listen to it, even if you’re just a delicate little flower.
Everything about this record screams PLAY THIS LOUDLY. There are no quiet or dull moments on this record; and it just makes you want to unapologetically lose your shit. This is the kind of band that you just know will destroy their live sets- the crowd will leave feeling bruised all over in the most pleasing way imaginable. They make the kind of music that has to be witnessed live. The urgency on this record is nothing short of vital and divine- you cannot help but get caught up in it. How else can you tell that this band are something else? The lead singer is called Hercules- that alone should sway you into digging this band.
Angel Face is anything but angels, and that’s part of the charm. Their sound is dark, raw, and loud- you cannot get enough of it. One casual listen just isn’t enough- you want to just let it consume every part of you, and when you find bands like that you have to hold onto them. Even if they are on the other side of the world and they’ll probably never end up where you are! But hey, we live in hope, don’t we?! It’ll get us through, as always. They make the kind of music that makes you think you’re part of a motorcycle gang or something. I honestly can’t think of a band who are making noise like this right now, and if this is what one record can do, then the world is theirs.
Spooky sounds make my little world go round; and the perfect example of this is the effortlessly slick Harsh Symmetry. I only discovered their music the middle of last year, and I added them to a list of bands I needed to write about. On a cold, icy night here in Manchester- now is the perfect time to write about Harsh Symmetry.
My love for bands like Cold Cave, VR Sex and Drab Majesty knows no bounds. They’re like a holy trinity of mine, but my god you through Harsh Symmetry in there and you’ve got a pot of exceptional musicians that make music that just elevate the soul. I initially was going to treat this as a review of sorts of the record from 2023; Imitation but I feel I have too much to say about Harsh Symmetry to narrow it down to that.
You just know when you hear something that it’s going to leave a lasting imprint on you. You know it’s going to do something, but you haven’t quite figured it out yet- that’s where I’m at with Harsh Symmetry. I feel like I’ve found something truly sacred, and something I may never be able to explain. It’s like that rush of love or infatuation that hits you in the face. There’s something here that I don’t think I’ll ever find in another band or singer, and I’m absolutely okay with that.
Harsh Symmetry is Julian Sharwarko. One person making a beautiful noise that I simply cannot get enough of. His dark vocals over eerie sounds is glorious; his music was made to be heard by any and everyone, and even though that’s a typical cliché it is one that I firmly stand by. For me there’s hints of early Depeche Mode, slight hints of Killing Jokes and a bit of The Cure. The record Julian released last year (Imitation) is made up of 9 songs that to truly get the best of- you need to listen to with the lights off- in total darkness. You can use headphones or you can blast it out as loud as you want. The important thing here is to be in total darkness and with no room for interruption. It’s like meditation but without the urge to start yelling or bursting out laughing (it can’t just be me, right?!) Imitation is Julian’s second full length record but it honestly sounds like someone who has been doing this for decades. It is just a perfectly crafted record. I have ZERO musical talent but it sounds like something I wish I could make. That creepy graveyard cloaked in fog feel lights up the whole record. If you’re looking for something with an intense and atmospheric feel- then listen to Harsh Symmetry.
Before I move onto Julian’s debut- I need to tell you about his exceptional cover of Open Your Heart by Madonna. Early Madonna is divine- we cannot dispute that. The desperation in the original is painful and so vulnerable. It is just beautiful; so how on earth will it sound like when a bunch of synths and eerie vocals take over it? Perfect to be honest. It took a bit for me to realise it was a cover, and I think when someone covers a song it is so important, they make it theirs, and bloody hell Julian does exactly that. It feels like it’s his song. His take on it is beautiful, and you’ll keep going back to it because your brain won’t quite click that it’s a cover right away.
Display Model came out in 2022, and I wish I got into his music then but I didn’t and it’s an error I must live with. His debut record is just the perfect mix of everything I love about music and just makes me want to zone out in the dark and listen to his music. As much as I love loud and rowdy Punk bands; my heart belongs to this style of euphoric music too. I couldn’t possibly call it anything but heavenly. Display Model is a stunning introduction to how talented Julian is, and as far as debut records go- well, if I could go back in time, I’d go back to 2022 and declare it as the best debut of the year. He makes music that goes beyond anything I’ve heard before, and that ethereal and delicate yet melancholic sound is dramatic in all the right places. His music would be perfect for an obscure black and white film that leaves you part terrified and part inspired. I don’t know when I was last truly moved by something. Normally when I play music, my cat usually goes into another room to take a nap but she’s sat next to me on my bed gently drifting into sleep like the little angel she is. Mary’s got good taste!
I feel that the words I have written do not do Julian any justice at all, but I hope if you read this- you listen to his music and you love it as much as I do.
In a few weeks’ time Julian will be playing a few dates here in the UK- London, Liverpool, and Manchester. I cannot wait to see these songs played live, and to hear them in the way they should be heard.
Record number 3 by the finest Parisian band is finally here. Big by Hoorsees was released Friday just gone, and it is one of those records that just makes you instantly feel good. Their previous releases have done exactly the same, and record number 3 somehow has a grander feel to it; you can really hear the progress and passion on this record. It may only be the start of the year but this record has the potential to be the soundtrack to the Summer.
The record opens with the blissful Movie’s Architecture; a 5 minute breakdown into the minds of Hoorsees, and it seems like a safe place to be. It’s the kind of song that would fit perfectly at any point of the record, and it is just the most divine way to start the record. Hoorsees are a band that are so easy to love. If this is your first time listening to them, then Big is a beautiful record to start with. Or, you can go back and play it in order- whichever way you choose to listen, all you need to do is sit back and close your eyes and let the band take you on the purest journey imaginable.
What I adore about this band is that you cannot liken them to anyone else. I fell in love with Alexin’s voice when I first heard his previous band Dr Chan a few years ago- I loved his style and the roughness to his vocals. His vocals with Hoorsees are much more delicate, and captures you in a different way. There is something so therapeutic about this band, and a large part of it for me is the vocals and lyrics. The sound they have is nothing short of perfect, and the way they have grown with their sound in just 3 records is exceptional.
I cannot drive (thank god) but the song Artschool makes you want to take a road trip and play this full blast; that’s the general feel of this record- a way of escaping for a while and just being absolutely fine with being by yourself. Artschool feels like it might be the anthem of the record- the one where fans scream this song back to the band the loudest. Every song makes you feel that way on this record, but there is something about this one that has a slightly stronger grip. Indie kids will eat this one right up.
Every song on this record is easy to relate to and treasure. From the relaxed sounds of New Career to Charming City Life; this record is Hoorsees at their finest. They’ve got better and better with each release, and it just makes them one of the most exciting bands around. Big is such a joy to listen to, and honestly if everything feels a bit overwhelming at the moment- take some time out for yourself, and play this record. It’ll calm your mind for a little while and will give you what you need and deserve. Alexin and Zoé’s vocals work so well together- both have this gentle tone that just makes you feel so calm- you cannot help but take it all in.
At the moment, I’m calling No Vacation as my favourite but I’ll change my mind many times as I listen to the record more and more. I love the simplicity of it, and I love the vulnerability in the lyrics. That’s another thing I adore about the band- the lyrics are so honest that you cannot help but feel and really connect with every word. This is also the kind of record you play as dusk starts kicking in, and you feel this wave of peace takeover- it is just a gorgeous record in every way.
This is Hoorsees at their finest, and I feel with every record they release they will just keep getting better and better. I really hope that this record gives them the opportunity to tour the UK because everyone needs to really experience how wonderfully talented the band are.
After waiting for what seems an eternity, the new full-length record by the finest German band around is finally here! My love for KÜKEN has been well documented; I’ve got all their records and they are some of the most treasured records I own. I just adore this band and their sound. There’s no other band out there quite like them.
For some, Christmas Eve is probably about a wealth of traditions I’ll never get my head around mainly because I closed the door on Christmas after my gran died. I can’t face it; my brain won’t let me. So, we make our traditions. Tomorrow, I plan on sleeping as much as I can (I’ve not been well and my voice is now sort of going) and I’m going to make myself a vegan lasagna and play FIFA on my PlayStation. Maybe nap some more. For me, it’s just a day off work. An extended weekend; and I’m happy with that. But, in the midst of all this and seeing everyone else panic about buying gifts- KÜKEN have released their third full length record and it is a thing of beauty.
I’ve not made a list of my favourite records in a while- I don’t know when I last did it, but if I was to make one for 2023, this record would likely be my top record. This record consists of 11 songs that’ll smack you right in the chops and have you dancing around like someone without a care in the world, and throwing your limbs about in a questionable manner. The best bands bring this out of you, and KÜKEN do this and so much more.
This record fits perfectly after the previous 2 full length records, and honestly, if you play every record in order (EPs included) you will hear just how solid their sound is. Every record they just grow in sound, but there is something about record number 3 that just elevates itself above the others. No song on this record goes beyond the 2 and a half minute mark- proper Punk anthems to trash your room to. They make the kind of music that you know just HAS to be played live. At the moment, my most played song is Goatleather but that’ll change after a few more listens. Every single song is great- you can’t deny the brilliance of Off The Track or Out Of The Water. These are modern Punk anthems that need to played ridiculously loud.
What I love about KÜKEN is how their sound is so distinctive. There’s something about the vocals and everything else going on, that makes you instantly realise who you are listening to. It’s hugely prominent on songs like Tight Muscle and another close favourite, Sticky. Their music is just everything you could want from your favourite band. For me, they’ve got that snarly attitude of Dead Boys which I’m sure I’ve mentioned many times before when I’ve written about them. Sometimes you just find a band, and they become IT for you. KÜKEN are that band for me. They have this powerful and slick sound that makes you wish you could do what they do.
Their third record is made up of typical KÜKEN anthems that you just have to play as loud as you can. The second part of the record goes harder, and it’s those ferocious and fast songs that just make you fall in love with the band over and over again. Cold may just be one of the finest songs that they have made to date. Everything about this band is everything I love about music. This record is truly something else. The production, the songs, vocals, sounds- every element of this record just shows why they are the best at what they do. Criminally underrated but that doesn’t matter when the songs are as big as this. The excitement I feel when they release something new is unlike anything else- they really are one of the most thrilling bands around, and their new record firmly states this.
KÜKEN are a band I could never get tired of listening to or writing about, and this third record is their finest work to date. 11 songs to fry your brain to- perfect!
The record came out today via Alien Snatch Records.
Death Goals have released some incredible music over the years, and instead of writing about how great they are in general- I’m going to try put into words why their latest release A Garden Of Dead Flowers (released in May) is one of the most exciting records of the year, and why it is the perfect Queercore record. These angels truly know how to make incredible noisy music to piss off your neighbours!
The fact that my cat is able to sleep whilst the washing machine goes full pelt and I’m blasting out Death Goals ridiculously loud makes me question if she can hear in general or if like me, probably has selective hearing! Pet welfare aside; A Garden Of Dead Flowers is way ahead of its time. It’s a magnificent Hardcore record that isn’t intimidating, and it is ahead of everything else around and it’s one of those records that just amps you up. I sometimes have a hard time focusing on things because my brain likes to go 500 miles an hour and think about everything at once- but when I listen to bands like Death Goals- my brain can calm down and focus.
It’s weird because say if I have an anxiety or panic attack, certain bands or songs can ease my mind and for the most part- it’s really loud bands that do it. I don’t get it, but I go with it. Loveless is one of the many highlights for me on this record; I could have it on repeat for hours and not get tired. Harry’s vocals have some serious bite to it; how they can belt out those vocals is beyond me- imagine being able to do that! The sheer range!
Everything about Death Goals blows my mind; there’s only two of them making this noise, and my god it sounds like there’s about 20 of them. That’s when you know you’ve found a band to really fall in love with and adore. I love the unity around them band, and how their music is for everyone. All too often we can feel like we can’t connect with something because it doesn’t speak to us, but there’s something so beautifully different about Death Goals, and how exceptional they are is truly shown on this record. They’re the kind of band that’ll easily influence others to make their own filthy, noisy music that appeals to us misfits. We need more of this.
What I love about this record is that it gets heavier with every song. There may only be 11 songs on this record, but every single song is delivered with such urgency and a fury that makes you feel every single note and word. Harry is a beast on guitar and vocals. Nothing can compare to the noise they make. And as for George; well, if you’re looking for someone to burst your eardrums with their ferocious drumming- George is the one for you! There are so many moments on this record that will blow your mind, and everything perfectly comes together on Faux Macho.
Death Goals just quite simply, reinforce my love for duos. Duos always seem to make more noise and deliver it with more urgency. The sheer loudness of their sound, the comfort in the lyrics and the general insane talent Death Goals posses is worthy of anyone’s time. One of the most exciting bands around, and A Garden Of Dead Flowers truly shows us all just how bloody brilliant they are.
One of the best things in the world is the band you absolutely love with everything you have, return after a long time with a new record. For me, The Kills will ALWAYS own a part of me that a person could never get close to. That could be to do with me closing parts down, or just because I really love this band with all I have. I’ve loved them from the start, and I’ll love them beyond the end. Incapable of ever releasing anything bad- I knew God Games was going to blow my mind. Every record of theirs has, and every record has been part of my life during good and bad moments. I’m content, so I can attribute this record to finally feeling alright.
The only song I had heard prior to God Games was New York. I made a painful decision to listen to that and only that- I wanted the whole record to be a surprise. I didn’t want to assume the record would have a set sound. I heard New York and, in my bones, I knew it’d be a phenomenal record but I wanted to wait. I wanted to wait it out because I knew I could treasure the moment more of when I could sit down and REALLY listen to the record. And oh boy, listen I bloody have done since Friday.
I don’t need to tell you how great New York is. It’s a typical sound of Alison and Jamie- that machine gun guitar sound that you cannot get tired of. It flows throughout the whole record. The way New York slips right into Going To Heaven is so slick. Two songs in, and I know I’m listening to something that is going to annihilate anything I’ve heard before. It’s such a powerful record, and every song is just perfect. I only know how to write about The Kills as a fan so whatever I write down will probably only appeal to anyone who loves this band. There is something about them that’s quite difficult to put into words because they aren’t good enough. I’ve been writing about the band for a hell of a long time, and they are one of the bands that just make me want to write and write. Going To Heaven sets a tone of the first part of the record, and the way it Going To Heaven goes into LA Hex is like the journey you take from falling into the pits of Hell but coming out of it tougher but still wary. Alison and Jamie’s vocals together on LA Hex is just gorgeous. I love when they sing together like this, because you can really hear how much they mean to each other, and how much what they create together means to them. The way they sing, “I’ve still got my ways you know; I’ve still got my ways.” Really gets you in the gut, then it kicks in around the last minute or so with this massive Gospel sound that just makes you feel like you’ve reached nirvana or something.
God Games has a very early sound of The Kills. Not as heavy as No Wow but definitely on the mellower side of Keep On Your Mean Side and has parts that will remind you of the sweet sound of Midnight Boom for sure, and it’s definitely clear on Love And Tenderness- this easily could have been on Midnight Boom and sounded perfect there too. You’ve got the gun-reloading sound on 103 that’s just unreal. The way Alison sings, “Keep me on the tip of your tongue” is just sublime- her delivery of lines like this always sticks with you. The way Alison and Jamie write about the world around them, their world, and the world they’ve created with their music is just perfect. It’s a safe space for the mind, and that’s part of the reason why I love them. I could bore someone to tears with the reasons why I love this band so much, but I like to think if someone listened to them, they’d get it right away.
My Girls My Girls is the halfway point of the record, and the relaxed sound on this mixed with Jamie’s distinctive guitar sound is heavenly. From first listen, it definitely became an immediate favourite. I love the sorrowfulness in the lyrics, and how you kind of feel alright with bouts of loneliness because songs like this keep you going don’t, they. Music keeps you going when you feel like your chest is tightening. Again, it’s another great song where Alison and Jamie’s vocals together are just divine. This is the kind of song you play at 2am when you cannot sleep and don’t want to disturb anyone; you play it a few times then allow yourself to fall asleep gently. The last 20 seconds or so of this one with those Gospel sounds again are just so pure and beautiful.
Wasterpiece lifts off the second part of the record, and it feels like it could be featured in some lo-fi film made by uni students- it’s incredible. The whole record has a strong film feeling to it, and by that, I mean every song on this record could be part of a soundtrack. I’d love for The Kills to create a film, with a soundtrack to match. Can you imagine how great it would be? They could easily take an Arthur Nersessian book and turn it into a film (he’s one of my favourite authors of all time, and it’s a crime how underrated he is.)
Kingdom Come is a different side of The Kills- I don’t know how to describe it, but there’s a heaviness in the intro that just makes you nod your head in a way that no other song on the record has yet. Every song on this record will make you move in some way, but Kingdom Come does something else. There’s a dark, dark Country and a hint of Blues sound on this one, and I think it’s down to Jamie and is genius ways with the guitar. Honestly, you cannot find anyone else out there who makes noise like him. The man is a genius, I won’t let anyone ever tell me any different. We then ride into God Games, a side of the band that I love. The heaviness, the darkness and the more slowed down side to them. I think the lyrics on this are some of the finest they’ve written, and definitely up there as being some of the best on the record. I love how they can just take you someplace so sacred with their art- because that’s what this is. Their music is a work of art- always. They create masterpieces every single time, and the ease of God Games going into Blank is again, another truly heavenly moment. Remember when they had a waltz number on Blood Pressures? The Last Goodbye; one of the very few songs by them that can make me cry instantly. Blank is their That Love, The Last Goodbye of God Games. A precious and heartbreaking song; I’m not sure how I’ve not cried over this song, but my god it will break your heart. It is powerful and just so brutally honest.
Bullet Sound is my favourite. I know I love the whole record with all I have, but Bullet Sound is the one that has really gripped me. It’s the kind of song you want playing when you need to feel confident or a little sure of yourself to get through the day. My god this is The Kills giving us everything they have and more on this record, and Bullet Sound really shows it. This is the one I NEED to see live. I just know it’ll be one of the best moments ever. Alison’s vocals on this are my absolute favourite. I love that they both have distinctive sounds- Jamie with his machine gun guitar and Alison with her bullet-like vocals. Bullet Sound is something else. It truly is. I feel like this is the song by The Kills that I needed; every part of me needed it. The drums on this mixed with the way Jamie treats the guitar like a weapon- that’s The Kills. The way Alison’s vocals will comfort but also probably shit you up a bit- that’s The Kills. Everything I love about this band is poured into this record.
Then it ends. It ends gently with Better Days. No other song could wrap up this record in such a perfect way. The production of this record, the sound, the lyrics, the way the songs flow perfectly into each other- it’s just a sincere work of art. It’s utterly flawless. I mean sure we want more songs, and we want them to last longer but the beauty of The Kills is that we have so much music from them, and God Games just sounds so perfect after a listen to their last record, Ash & Ice.
7 years we had to wait for this, and a lot has happened in the world since. God Games is a true reflection of their sound and how no other band can ever come close to what they do. I didn’t think I’d be writing over 1550 words about this record, with Columbo on in the background but here I am. Just a fan of The Kills, who loves them unconditionally, for always. Some bands leave a mark on you in ways you didn’t think a band could- Alison and Jamie have done just that again.
The coolest band on the planet have given us the coolest (and best) record of the year, again.
“This petty urge, fills your mouth Makes you sick, makes you sick. Animal.”
I can’t remember when I last wrote about a single, but sometimes you hear something and you just have to write down and try explain why it’s pretty great. London’s finest Beige Banquet are back with the killer new single, Animals and it’ll be stuck in your head for days.
The repetitiveness of “Animals” throughout the song will stay firmly lodged in your brain. You’ll find yourself singing it at any given time, and probably no one will know what you’re on about. Beige Banquet are one of the most thrilling bands around, and the sound on this single sees them move away slightly from that lo-fi/bedroom DIY sound they have. It’s still there of course, but this song is more refined. It’s more distinguished and it’s a firm insight into how this band are going to continuously blow us away with everything they do. Their second record is due for release next year and I cannot wait to hear it. I reckon it’ll be one of the highlights of 2024, and hopefully they will take over the world with it. They absolutely deserve it.
Animals is a darker sounding song compared to what we’ve heard on their debut etc, but that is never a bad thing. The darker a sound, the better it usually is (personal preference!) and the fact that Beige Banquet aren’t afraid to go beyond what they’ve done before and enhance their sound is just incredible to hear. There’s hints of bands we all love on Animals, but at the same time it’s a real refreshing sound and one to really get stuck into.
The drums on this are stunning, and they are part of the reason why this song will have you moving in questionable ways. Then you have the bass and the guitar over this; adding some fury and bite to it all. Top this off with the poetic lyrics and gripping vocals- well, you’ve got a hit haven’t you!
Animals is out now, and you can catch Beige Banquet at these two dates in November:
10th November – London – Oslo 11th November – Leeds – Hyde Park Book Club
For the past few years, I have religiously played Prioritise Pleasure by Self Esteem. I, like most who have got lost in this record, have allowed it to open myself up to feelings I thought I was incapable of. Allowed me to accept certain things and basically say “fuck it” to what was making me miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be mardy but this record gave me some strength when nothing and no one else could.
Like a lot of people who have fallen in love with this record, it’s become a crutch. Sadly, I only managed to catch one show and what made it extra special was that I had tough Yorkshire lass, my mum with me. Being able to cry like a baby whilst basically being held like one was probably embarrassing for my mum (sorry love!) and honestly, it felt cathartic. The whole show felt like a massive release. The sense of freedom I felt after this show was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I can only liken it to the time I saw Nick Cave. It felt like a religious experience, it felt like I found a home. Everything clicked.
When the record came out, I didn’t write about it. I wanted to but I felt like whatever I wrote wouldn’t express what it means to me. I only ever write about what I love in the hopes someone else gets it. But this record became very personal to the point where I think it kept me going when I wasn’t sure if I could. I didn’t want to pour that out of me, I didn’t have the words. When I listen to the record, I find myself thinking about what it must have been like to be in that room when certain songs were being recorded. For so long, I Do This All The Time was a song I couldn’t listen to in full. A certain part would break me and that was it, I’d be gone. Then I saw it live, cried my heart out (deffo snotted all over my mum because I’m a classy 36 year old) and healed. For me, this song reminds me a bit of Lisa Stansfield. Another iconic Northern lass. The vocals, the production, the feeling. It’s unlike anything else we will ever hear. No song can compare to this. It’s powerful in so many ways. Turns out, the one I now cannot listen to is Still Reigning. The second RLT sings “The love you need is gentle, the love you need is kind” I just crumble. How has someone who I’ve never met got into my head?! A simple line that delicately breaks you, but expresses all you feel in one line.
If we step away for a second from the music and the way the songs are sung, and the production- I want to really focus on how great a songwriter Rebecca is. The wit, the relatability, the honesty- every emotion humanly possible to feel is found in every single song on this record. From the absolute gloriously gut punching “My hunger times my impatience makes me feel reckless” to the wonderfully honest and brutal “It was really rather miserable trying to love you”. That line is something else, and the sheer honesty of it really hits you in the gut. These songs read like poetry, they ARE poetry. My generations greatest songwriter- easily.
I adore the slight 90s R’n’B feel of the title track, and how it reminds me of hearing Free Your Mind by En Vogue for the first time. So powerful. Any and everyone can relate to this song, and my god seeing it live is next level. The second verse is so crucial and again, exceptionally relatable. I just love this so much; “All the fucked-up shit I did thinking it would make me happy. Very little of it did, really. And it happened lately. as I willed a sunset to go quickly. Always thinking what next.
Never have I just enjoyed the moment happening right now. I’ve never known how.” We’ve all been there, some of us are probably still there. It’s just a perfectly written verse that gets you right in the gut. But the first verse has a line that just. My god it GETS you right in the tummy; “I shrunk, moved, and changed. And still, you felt the same.” We try to shape ourselves for others, but is it ever worth it? No. If you have to shrink yourself for others, they do not deserve you in any way. It is a euphoric anthem. It’s so liberating, and that’s a theme you pick up throughout the record. That elevation of freedom when you shout “That’s just for me” is so pure- especially live. Honestly it feels like a cleansing of the mind, body and soul.
This record has been out for 2 years now, and in those 2 years it has become a source of comfort and safety for so many of us. There’s no other record I’ve rinsed so much as this one, and even when I play it now, I still find new parts of the record to fall in love with. My favourite song will change almost daily. The record is a guide for life- gently holding your hand and letting you know it’s alright. It’ll be alright. Allow things to be shit, because they absolutely can be. There’s nothing wrong with that.
For me, the past 2 years have, when everything was shit, this record has been my lifeline. Every single song is so easy to relate to- you feel like RLT has penned these songs for you and the community around this record in particular is beautiful. Everything is celebrated and never shamed. Your sexuality, your size, every ounce of you is rightfully celebrated and that’s why this record needs celebrating. The more I listen to it, the less I feel weird towards how I feel and so many of us who adore this record feel the same. I know perfection is different for everyone, but I think it can be a universal view that this record is the definition of a perfect record. If you’re someone who is into how a record is produced- you’ll hear the clarity and care in this record. If lyrics are your thing, then this record will own your heart.
There are many moments on this record that just blow your mind- from the delicate tones of The 345 to the lyrics on John Elton. The sound on It’s Been A While is ridiculous- a song this big should be illegal! I adore the line, “I’ll admit I miss that body. But not the personality.” Again, another entirely relatable line that you can imagine sending to someone (but don’t, they aren’t worth the time now.) I’ve spent a lot of time playing this record over and over, and one thing that’s a solid is that the opening line to Moody may just be up there as being one of the best ever. The sheer delivery is divine. Find me a better opener than this: “Sexting you at the mental health talk seems counterproductive.” Impossible to find anything better, right? It’s RLT’s take on a typically saccharine pop song and added her beautiful wit and sarcasm to it. We’re all moody cows from time to time- nothing wrong with that. For me, it’s the relatability on this and all the way through. There’s nothing I can say about this record that hasn’t already been said, I know. It’s a masterpiece. It’s a work of art. It’s a safety net. I can safely say that over the past 2 years, this record has been my crutch. I know I’m not alone in this.
How Can I Help You is the fiercest song on the record- those drums. My god the drums! They sound so big, so tribal; just fucking incredible. It makes you want to throw shit around and just yell “I don’t know shit!” with our Becky. It’s just one of those songs you find yourself singing to yourself daily. I do it at work when no one is in the kitchen and I’m making a cup of tea. Let’s not talk about how many times I’ve nearly burnt myself in the process!
Prioritise Pleasure doesn’t fit into any specific genre, and that’s why it is so easy to love and to let own your heart. There are so many elements of this record that you pick up on with every listen. Her vocals on Hobbies 2 stand out because there’s this extra softness to it, and that’s tied in with the vulnerability in the lyrics. Then you’ve got the way she makes I Do This All The Time feel like it’s a monologue in your brain, and someone is unleashing every thought you have. That’s a song I could write thousands of words about, and maybe I will. I feel I need to somehow get it out. This whole record is the kind of record I’d want to have heard when I was a teenager who just felt so uncomfortable in their skin and wanted out of it. But, I have it in adulthood and that’s enough.
There is so much freedom and reclaiming on this record- when you listen to the title track, you cannot help but feel like you can take on the world. Even the opener I’m Fine makes you feel 10 feet tall; through trauma we can still become the people we deserve to be, and to be as strong as we possibly can. From this record I’ve learnt what I do and don’t want in a person, what I don’t want to be, how to toughen up but still be a ridiculously sensitive twat.
I don’t remember the last time I wrote this much about a record, but this is 2 years of emotion and thoughts I’ve kept locked up and felt on the 2nd anniversary of the record, was the right time to let it all out. I had a look at things I’ve written, and found a draft from exactly a year ago about the record but never finished it. I don’t think I was in the right place to let it out. Better late than never, right?
Here we are. Record number five by the most heavenly bands around; The Vacant Lots. I’ve written about nearly every record and EP they’ve released. They’re one of those bands for me that, I just always have to write about. I’ve got a handful of bands I feel that way about, and The Vacant Lots are up there for sure.
So, here we go with record number five- Interiors. It opens with Amnesia which reminds me of early John Carpenter soundtracks, which for me is perfect. The record starts off super strong and just gets better and better. It’s got that dark 70s/80s feel to it (think very early Depeche Mode mixed with Iggy’s Berlin records.) Dark and heavy songs that you absolutely can dance your heart out to. Alone in your room; that’s the perfect setting for this record. I listened to it yesterday on the way to work, and I then spent last night and today in my room listening to it as my cat had a nap lying next to me. I obviously ended up falling asleep too.
From Amnesia we are then gently led into Paradise which instantly became my favourite. I’ve played this record enough times now to claim it as my solid favourite, but trust me, the whole record is an utter masterpiece. Is it their best work? As someone who has loved them from the very start- yes. Yes, it is. You can’t compare their records to anything else in this world. It may be their darkest and some may shy away from that, but it is truly their best record so far. And this is coming from someone who holds Departure as one of the best records ever made/one of the best debut records of all time.
Interiors is the type of record you play to someone you’re really into or love, and want them to just love one band as much as you do. Could it make or break a relationship? I can’t tell you. It’s the record you play at 2am when the world around you is too loud. It’s the record you play when you just want something to calm your mind. They Jared and Brian make beautiful noise together- the synths are incredible on this, and it really is their best work. Evacuation is such a great song- could easily claim this as a close favourite too. The whole record is a work of perfection, and it’s the record you just know you have to see live. I’ve seen The Vacant Lots live a few times, and it always feels like some kind of religious experience almost.
The last time I saw them was recently here in Manchester at SOUP. There was hardly anyone there, which was mega shit because everyone should see them live, but as there were so few of us there, it felt more sacred than normal. It felt even more personal. I just really love this band, and they blow my mind with every record they put out.
If you were looking to get into this band for the first time or want to introduce someone to them, then this record is the perfect place to start. It may be their darkest but there’s something about it that just towers over the previous records. If you play Destruction to someone then play them Mad Mary Jones, they won’t believe it is the same band!
I’m really fascinated by Jared’s explanation of the record: “It’s about dealing with duality and integrating the conflicting feelings within a relationship. It’s about feeling dissociative and getting burned by the fire. Then coping with how this inevitably leads to the dissolution of the relationship. This is a mantra for all the songs on the album.” You get this throughout the whole record and it’s really vivid on Scars and the second part of the record. There’s hurt and healing on this record, and it is done in such a delicate way, It’s the synths, Jared’s guitar, Brian’s vocals, the lyrics. Everything about this record is just divine.
The record ends with Damaged Goods; a 6 and a half minute masterpiece that you feel could easily go on forever. You want to crawl into this song and just stay, and feel safe. I’ve said it throughout, but it is easily their best work to date. Every song is from the soul straight to the listener’s heart. You simply can’t get enough of The Vacant Lots, and this record fully justifies that.
Beat In My Bones. 