ALBUM: Weekend Recovery – ‘False Company’

Fuelled by the fuzzy indie rock riffage of Jack White, and the anthemic pop melodies of Paramore, Weekend Recovery has evolved from a Kent-based punk-pop four-piece into a garage-rock trio from up t’North in Leeds; transcending genres through experimentation and their undeniable punk rock attitude. Releasing two EPs – 2016’s Rumours and 2018’s In The Mourning respectively – and their impressive debut LP, 2018’s Get What You Came For, Weekend Recovery return with their self-reflective sophomore album, False Company; ten tracks of infectious do-it-yourself rock and roll.

Opening with the crushing ‘Radiator’, lead singer and guitarist Lori Forster lays the groundwork for the rest of the album with the perfect unification of grunge-inspired guitar riffs and raw emotion (“Got to stay alive / We’ve got to eat you alive”), before tearing apart toxic friendships in ‘Night Creature’ (“Keep it together / Even though you know the truth”), and preconceived ideas of who the fuck Lori is in ‘I Can’t Let Go’.

Bassist Josh Fawn and drummer Marcus Webster instinctively let loose on self-reflective tracks ‘It Doesn’t Seem Right’ and ‘Going Nowhere’, with scuzzy pulsating basslines and thrashing drum beats bounded by Lori’s hook-laden guitar melodies. Lowering the tempo for their latest single – indie fuzz ballad ‘Surprise’ – Lori displays her pop sensibilities with impassioned multi-layered vocals. A deeply personal track conveyed through soft/loud/soft distortion: “If I knew what I knew now / Maybe it would have been different somehow”.

Everyone has suffered from insecurity at some point. Weekend Recovery drowns out this negative noise with the energetic, uplifting ‘There’s A Sense’; picking up the pace through a fusion of propulsive bass, rhythmic guitar, and ‘sing-song’ vocals that will thrive in front of a live audience. “You got to admit there’s a sense of insecurity / Get away, get away, get away, get away!”

Alternating between power pop melodies and raw, energetic rock and roll, the final three tracks – ‘Yeah?!’, ‘You Know Why’ and ‘Zealot’ – conclude False Company; an uncompromising, confident LP worthy of repeat listening, that oozes the DIY work ethic of garage rock/punk. And whilst it can be easy to draw comparisons to their predecessors – Lori, Josh and Marcus wear their influences on their sleeves – Weekend Recovery has crafted a darker, heavier sound that is uniquely their own.

False Company is out now via Criminal Records, and was produced by Ed Heaton and mastered by Joe Fisher of Rainy Daze Recording. Buy here.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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Track Of The Day: HAVVK – ‘Home’

Having been big fans of Dublin-based HAVVK since they headlined our first gig at The Finsbury back in 2016, we have been continually impressed and consistently charmed by all they’ve created since. Now, having received support from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Lauren Laverne and John Kennedy on Radio X, and following 2019’s debut full length album Cause & Effect, the trio have announced a brand new album set for release in July this year.

The first single to be shared from the album comes in the form of ‘Home’ – a stirring reflection on appreciating those closest to you. Propelled by a shimmering ethereal fuzz, the track showcases the soaring celestial majesty of front woman Julie’s vocals, as they float with an impassioned splendour over scuzzy hooks and a gritty, driving energy. Fusing together tinges of ’90s grunge-fuelled angst with twinkling shoegaze sensibilities and the band’s own unique poignant grace, it’s a truly captivating soundscape.

Of the track, Julie explains:

“‘Home’ is about the freedom of youth and being oblivious to the protections you have around you. It’s about appreciating the people who have always been there for you even when you were at your worst – even if you weren’t grateful for it – and who’ve helped you get back up again every time. I feel really connected to this song right now. Over the past year, we’ve all had our social structures pulled out from underneath us and we’re missing the basic nourishment of human connection. I do miss the obliviousness of normal life (and dancing, and gigs, and hugs!), but I hope I’ll go back to the world a bit more grateful – far less transactional – and really value the humans around me.”

Produced by Rocky O’Reilly, ‘Home’ proves once again that HAVVK are a band on the rise; one who are consistently honing and developing their sound, continuing to impress and enchant the ears, not content to stick within the confines of any one sonic genre.

 

‘Home’ is out now, taken from HAVVK’s upcoming second album Levelling, produced by Rocky O’Reilly and set for release in July this year.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: DISHPIT – ‘This Time’

A seething cacophony of crashing percussion, strung out guitar riffs and volatile vocals, Montreal-based trio DISHPIT have shared their new single ‘This Time’. Taken from their Steve Albini produced, self-titled debut album which is set for release on 12th March, the track is a corrosive new offering that rips through feelings of apathy with angst-ridden flair.

Led by Nora Kelly and Jed Stein, DISHPIT are inspired by the sounds of 90s riot grrrl, post punk and grunge. They’re here to challenge and disrupt the male dominated alternative music scene with their distinctive “freaky femme energy” and the abrasive sounds on ‘This Time’ are another potent example of how they’re dismantling these archaic barriers. Kelly’s crystalline vocals cut through the raucous guitar noises and cymbal smashes, as the track swells to its refreshingly raw conclusion.

DISHPIT finished recording their debut album with Albini in 2018, but issues with their record label and the cancellations and delays that have come with the Covid-19 pandemic meant their plans were temporarily put on hold. Now, the band are now finally ready to bring the visceral sounds of their debut record into the world and we can’t wait to hear it in full.

Listen to ‘This Time’ below.

Follow DISHPIT on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Grandmas House – ‘Always Happy’

A thumping post-punk anthem that seethes with sardonic wit, Bristol-based trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Always Happy’. Released via Brace Yourself Records, the track is a raucous juxtaposition of the confident image we project externally to others, when internally we often feel the complete opposite.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House combine gritty guitars, powerhouse percussion and visceral vocals to create their corrosive, commanding sounds. Formed in late 2018, the band were busy cutting their teeth on the UK gig circuit before Covid-19 put an abrupt stop to live music. The trio decided to use their time in lockdown constructively, quickly writing and recording new material, including their new single ‘Always Happy’.

“The song is wrapped in sarcasm based on our experiences of being perceived as a certain person, particularly on stage where we are overconfident, exaggerated versions of ourselves,” the band explain. “[It’s] a song we wrote about the social anxiety we all experience in some way or another, particularly concerning social media which gives the chance to easily convey a polished, perfect life which is often misleading – it’s not daily life, but snippets of the best parts. It was one of those songs that just came together so quickly as we were all completely on the same wavelength concerning the meaning of it.”

Through Berndt’s raspy, sarcastic vocals, Zinsmeister’s smouldering bass lines and Dodgson’s distinctive drum strikes, the trio smash through the false perceptions that happiness or contentment are permanent states of being. This welcome dose of cynicism will be accompanied by another equally infectious track ‘Small Talk’ on the band’s upcoming cassette release on 12th March.

Listen to ‘Always Happy’ below.

 

Follow Grandma’s House on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo credit: Belle Whittington

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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