ALBUM: The Coathangers – ‘The Devil You Know’

Let’s face it, the human mind is a complex thing. It can be difficult to have more than one thing going on, and half of the time you don’t even know what’s happening up there… Some things just can’t co-exist. Expelling this rule in a fantastically riotous half-hour are The Coathangers with their seventh album, The Devil You Know.

Pre-released single, ’Bimbo’, is the infectiously upbeat opener. Completely innocently, the track opens with a straight bassline, with quintessentially on beat, twinkling top notes of a keyboard. This is later ripped apart and kicked into overdrive with raucous thrashes of fuzzy guitar and a semi-sung chorus. The rest of the album follows suit with an angst-infused collective of fiery ditties, ‘5 Farms’ and ‘Crimson Telephone’.

Then I have an epiphany. This ain’t no ordinary album. This lot have an agenda. Political and social commentary bursts through the foundations of the album like a balloon on a cactus. This is most evident in the fourth and seventh tracks, ‘Hey Buddy’ and ‘F the NRA’. In ‘Hey Buddy’ a guttural and hoarse voice croaks through the song laced with simple yet powerful twangs of guitar, proving less is more as they growl “Hey buddy are you looking at me? You call me a faggot and you call me a sleaze”. ‘F The NRA’ does just what it says on the tin; a poignant, impassioned plea against gun violence, propelled by a gritty, punk-driven energy. 

The album winds to a close with quieter and melancholy, but nonetheless badass, tracks ‘Last Call’ and ‘Lithium’. Both include a gentle and heavily reverberated vocal resonating the sound of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval. The guitars sound like they’re crying. And now I’m crying.

The Devil You Know takes you from wanting to go out, make some noise and paint the town red, to staying in bed and never getting up again. And we love every second of its racing thirty minutes. 

The Devil You Know is out now via Suicide Squeeze. Catch The Coathangers live on their upcoming tour:

24th April – The Latest Music Bar, Brighton
25th April – Studio 9294, London
27th April – The Cookie, Leicester
28th April – SWG Poetry Club, Glasgow
29th April – Soup Kitchen, Manchester
30th April – Arts Club (Loft), Liverpool
1st May – The Key Club, Leeds

Megan Berridge
@noisygal_

 

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Track Of The Day: Death Of The Maiden – ‘Tess’

Oxford’s Death Of The Maiden are serving us new single ‘Tess’, taken from their upcoming album The Girl With A Secret Fire.

Safe to say that this track is sublimely unique! Evoking a style which the band describe as ‘baroque pop’, Death of a Maiden are producing something innovative in the feminist, riot grrrl scene. While the title refers to Hardy’s classic, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, the clever lyrics and the narrative that is offered is both timeless and current. ‘Tess’ takes you on a journey and makes the listener empathise with the main character, who is given a voice to express her story and her sorrow.

Climaxing with cleverly crafted “oohs”, which metaphorise the sound of the main character crying out in despair, it’s a track rich in imagery, bringing to mind an immersive film soundtrack complementing a strong visual.

Death Of The Maiden are a breath of fresh air, and ‘Tess’ is a shining example of why the band should be fast recognised for their songwriting mastery.

The Girl With A Secret Fire, the upcoming album from Death Of The Maiden, is out 29th March. And we’re looking forward to Death Of The Maiden playing for us at The Finsbury on 12th April!

 

Janelle Borg

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LIVE: Our Girl @ The Southbank Centre, 06.03.19

Following last year’s debut album Stranger Today, we’ve been massive fans of the lush, fuzzed out sounds of Our Girl. And so last week, having already supported Bill Ryder Jones in Queen Elizabeth Hall last year, we were excited to catch them live in The Purcell Room, at my favourite place in London – The Southbank Centre – last week.

Immediately captivating the intimate seated crowd, Soph, Josh and Lauren kick off the set with the delicate, twinkling romanticism of ‘I Really Like It’, and that’s me gone – instantly welling up to the fuzzy, scuzzy loveliness flowing into my ears. I should point out I’m feeling a little fragile lately, but I’m sure I’d have been overcome with emotion regardless…

Continuing with the sparkling charm of ‘Being Around’, the trio ooze shades of the other-worldly splendour of Warpaint, whilst retaining their own unique command of all they do, as Lauren’s thrashing beats complement the interplay between Soph and Josh perfectly. Employing a completely immersive energy throughout, Our Girl continue with the atmospheric scuzz and scintillating riffs of ‘Two Life’, before building with a sparkling intensity to the raw, raging climax of ‘Josephine’.

Treating us to songs from both Stranger Today and The Bedroom Record, the band showcase their ability to fluctuate between a gritty fuzz-filled energy and a luscious dreamy haze seamlessly. And, whilst some bands may not have found the prospect of performing to such an intimate, seated crowd appealing, Soph assures us that they’re happy with it: “It’s nice and quiet… I like it. It’s calming, but scary at the same time.”

From the beautifully delicate tenderness of ‘Sub Rosa’ to the swirling energy of ‘In My Head’, or the seething whirlwind of sound flowing from ‘Boring’, Our Girl’s ethereal majesty is a true delight to witness; leaving each one of the seated audience members utterly spellbound.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Finsbury w/ ARXX, 08.03.19

Following a host of amazing bands playing for us lately, including Wolf Girl, Sit Down, Fightmilk and Peach Club, we were back at The Finsbury to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, with a jam-packed night of the best new music from awesome womxn, and raising money for fantastic organisation The Outside Project.

Kicking things off is the wonderfully wacky Riot Grrrl-inspired sounds of Rainbow Corp. With her twinkling electronic soundscapes and honey-sweet Le Tigre-reminiscent vocals, it’s a perfectly uplifting start to our celebrations.

Next up, South London duo Scrounge once again blow us away with their immense, gritty offerings. Blasting out their unique brand of fierce post-punk, the raw intensity of Lucy’s captivating vocals combined with Luke’s raging, pummelling beats creates a truly colossal force to be reckoned with.

Penultimate band of the night, The Baby Seals, deliver a perfect accompaniment to International Women’s Day. With their fun-filled, empowering energy, they treat us to songs about everything from masturbation to getting ID-ed in ALDI. Championing autonomy and body positivity with a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek wit, they leave us united and ready to celebrate all things female.

Having played for us in supporting slots a few times before, it’s an absolute joy to have Brighton duo ARXX headline for us on this extra special occasion. Immediately blasting out their immense, energy-fuelled offerings with a ferocious, sparkling force, their phenomenal power captures the attention of each and every member of the completely packed-out venue. Delivering their seething, punk-infused anthems, ARXX prove themselves to be the ultimate headliner for International Women’s Day; they just get better each time we see them, continuing to impress with their truly magnificent command of all they do.

HUGE thanks to all who made it down to The Finsbury on Friday, making our International Women’s Day celebrations so special. And massive love to all four amazing acts who played for us, and The Outside Project for all they do. Catch us again on 12th April when Mammoth Penguins will be headlining for us.

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

 

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