EP: Petrol Girls – ‘The Future Is Dark’

Defiant, driven, and militant in their cause to give the voices of their sisters a platform; Petrol Girls have shared their latest EP The Future Is Dark (released via Hassle Records). It’s a blistering collection of anti-patriarchy, anti-capitalist anthems that will inspire listeners to stand up, speak out, and be counted.

The EP is named after a Virginia Woolf quote that writer Rebecca Solnit uses as a starting point for her essay ‘Woolf’s Darkness’, in Men Explain Things To Me. Solnit writes about accepting uncertainty and not fearing the dark or the unknown. Her sentiments reflect Petrol Girls’ unwavering belief in the strength of sisterhood, and speaking out against oppression.

The riotous ‘Survivor’ opens the record, and is inspired by the growing movement against sexual violence. Vocalist Ren’s powerful voice declares “It was my anger that kept me alive” over thrashing guitar riffs and heart-thumping percussion. It’s another much needed shout-back track, dismantling the damage caused by pervasive and traumatising sexual assaults. The slightly softer, but equally as striking ‘Sister’ follows – championing the power of sisterhood. It’s a reminder to cherish and nurture relationships with sisters from all walks of life.

The track ordering on The Future Is Dark sends just as seminal a message as the individual songs that form it. It begins with feelings of anger and isolation (‘Survivor’), fades in to relief, support and recovery (‘Sister’), before closing track ‘Strike’ reinforces the need to keep fighting, and to persevere against forces that continue to oppress us all (even if you fuck up from time to time).

Petrol Girls are experts at taking their anger and transforming it in to a force for change, self-expression, and most importantly – reassurance for listeners who need love and guidance in such turbulent political times. The future may be dark, but with Petol Girls around, it’s certainly not void of hope.

Order your copy of The Future Is Dark here.
Follow Petrol Girls on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: DOLLS – ‘Pink Bones’

Ambiguity, strung-out riffs and a catchy chorus combine to make London duo Dolls‘ latest single ‘Pink Bones’ another grunge-pop gem. The track is taken from their upcoming debut EP Pop The Bubble, set for release on 21st September via Mondo/Death Waltz records.

‘Pink Bones’ was one of the first songs the pair wrote together after meeting through mutual friends and Facebook messages. Speaking about the track, drummer Bel explains: “I believe this song is like one of those abstract paintings, it can mean many different things to whoever listens to it; and we like keeping it that way. Otherwise it ruins how far your imagination can go!”

Dolls have been gigging around London relentlessly for the last few years, and are more than ready to release their Pop The Bubble EP, which they worked on with producer Jim Sclavunos (The Horrors, The Wytches, Du Blonde). The EP will be released on limited edition multi-coloured and etched vinyl, and will be available to buy at Dolls’ Rough Trade in-store gig on Monday 24th September.

Listen to ‘Pink Bones’ below and follow DOLLS on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Gabrielle Hall.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

WATCH: Ah! Kosmos – ‘Wide’ (feat. Özgür Yılmaz)

A mesmerising montage of striking, sensual images make up the new visuals for Ah! Kosmos‘s new video ‘Wide’. The track is taken from her upcoming second album Beautiful Swamp, which is set for release on October 5th via Compost Records.

Born in Istanbul and now based in Berlin, Ah! Kosmos (aka Başak Günak) is a sound designer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. She sweeps listeners up in to a rapture with her intense soundscapes filled with rhythmic guitar melodies, and her collaboration with guitarist Özgür Yılmaz on ‘Wide’ is another stunning example of this.

The breathtaking new video – directed by Berlin-based artist Harun Güler – perfectly compliments the track’s atmospheric guitar, captivating percussion and hypnotic vocals. The visuals provide further insight in to her upcoming album Beautiful Swamp, as Ah! Kosmos explains: “Swamp as an image represents this album’s process. Sinking into the step that I’m taking, and taking the next move from that sunken space. The ground was pulling me in and this slowly let me find my sensibility, softness, flexibility and also power”. This flexibility and power has been developing since her 2015 debut record Bastards, and we can’t wait to see where it takes her sound next.

Watch the video for ‘Wide’ below and follow Ah! Kosmos on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Fürkan Temir

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

WATCH: She Drew The Gun – ‘Resister’

She Drew The Gun uses body paint and bright lights to rev things up in her new video for latest single ‘Resister’. The track is a measured but rallying cry to persevere in the face of adversity, and is taken from her upcoming album Revolution Of Mind (due to be released on October 5th via Skeleton Key Records).

‘Resister’ hosts buzzing guitar riffs, persistent percussion and lyrics fused with empowering messages. Guitarist & songwriter Louisa Roach says the new record is permeated by themes of “Empowerment; arming yourself with knowledge; questioning the status quo…” and her new video is further proof of her determination to keep on resisting any forces that try to oppress her.

Produced by James Skelly (The Coral) at Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios, Revolution Of Mind is set to be another powerful collection of songs from this affluent and informed songwriter. She Drew The Gun will return to the live scene following the release of their album, supporting The Coral on all dates of their UK tour. Watch the video for ‘Resister’ below and follow She Drew The Gun on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment