ALBUM: Bitch Falcon – ‘Staring At Clocks’

An apt title for 2020, but one that would still resonate without the current social hellscape we’re living through, Bitch Falcon’s debut album Staring At Clocks is a blistering cacophony of grunge, post-punk and shoegaze inspired sounds. Set for release via Small Pond Records on 6th November, the Dublin trio’s first full length record sees them effortlessly galvanize their melodic tendencies with their trademark heaviness, resulting in a visceral yet graceful collection of noise.

Bitch Falcon have been cutting their teeth on the Irish and UK live circuits for the past few years, sharing stages with Girl Band, Fontaines DC, Torche, Black Peaks and Pussy Riot, as well as playing live for GIHE back in 2017. Since then, the band have been carefully channelling their formidable live presence into polished recordings, and Staring At Clocks is proof that they’ve mastered this craft. Opener ‘I’m Ready Now’ is an affirmation of this, filled with drummer Nigel Kenny’s racing beats, Barry O’Sullivan’s thundering bass lines and Lizzie Fitzpatrick’s powerhouse vocals.

‘Sold Youth’ intoxicates with its swirling grungy melodies, followed by the rapturous splendour of ‘Turned To Gold’. Despite being about the exhaustion that comes with stretching yourself emotionally thin for a loved one, the restless riffs and charged percussion on ‘How Did I Know?’ provide a fierce catharsis. The eponymous ‘Staring At Clocks’ is permeated by Fitzpatrick’s dreamy vocals, building towards a riotous outro full of bruising bass lines, manic guitar sounds and relentless drums. Exploring the fleeting feelings of running away and escaping your situation, ‘Test Trip’ is a formidable fluctuation of soothing and abrasive elements.

Effortlessly switching from a savage scream to a sublime extended yearning, Fitzpatrick’s elastic vocal ability never fails to impress throughout the record, and admiration for her natural talent swells with each listen. On ‘Martyr’, ‘Damp Breath’ and ‘Gaslight’ in particular, there’s even echoes of the mighty Bjork during her ‘Army Of Me’ era. Fitzpatrick’s intuition for knowing exactly when to unleash a cord-ripper, or to lull listeners with a hushed intonation is matched by Kenny’s razor sharp cymbal strikes and O’Sullivan’s brooding bass hooks and epic closing track ‘Harvester’ is a clear amalgamation of these talents.

An enviably strong debut, Staring At Clocks is propelled by gritty riffs, urgent vocals and a striking awareness of what it means to take your time, to reflect on what you’ve been through and to charge on through the dissonance. Bitch Falcon should take pride in this immense first full length offering and we can’t wait to hear it live when the coast is eventually clear.

Pre-order your copy of Staring At Clocks from bandcamp.

Follow Bitch Falcon on Instagram, Spotify, Facebook & Twitter for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Zilched – ‘Sixteen’

A swirling, grungy reflection on the contradictions that come with growing up, Detroit-based songwriter Zilched has shared her latest single ‘Sixteen’. Lifted from her recent debut album DOOMPOP, released via Young Heavy Souls, the track smoulders with fuzzy guitar sounds, frantic drums and Zilched’s strung out vocals.

“It’s more or less about questioning both what marks a loss of innocence, and the obsessive purgatory of waiting for your life to start,” Zilched (aka Chloë Drallos) explains about ‘Sixteen’. She explores the sting of being caught between adolescence and adulthood through moody reverb-heavy guitars and her deadpan Kim Gordon-esque vocal delivery.

Inspired by 90s grunge icons like Nirvana and The Jesus and Mary Chain, Zilched has channelled her influences into a collection of compelling noise-pop tracks on debut record DOOMPOP. “It’s an honest reflection of my attempts to grow up and make sense of absurdity,” she explains about the album. “I wrote the first song in my last month of high school at 18, and finished recording/producing just a month after my 20th birthday. With these songs I wanted to go as deep into my insecurities and confusion, however immature I felt. Just write what I felt when I felt it in order to move on.”

Watch the self-directed video for ‘Sixteen’ below and follow Zilched on bandcamp, Facebook & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Bitch Falcon – ‘Martyr’

A savage blend of visceral vocals, grungy guitars and powerhouse percussion, Dublin trio Bitch Falcon have shared their latest single ‘Martyr’. The third single to be lifted from their debut album Staring At Clocks, which is set for release via Brighton label Small Pond on 6th November, the band effortlessly combine the racing energy of post-punk beats with the melodic elements of grunge on this new offering.

“Nigel’s drumming reminds me of Warpaint in this, it has such a bounce to it,” explains Bitch Falcon’s vocalist and guitarist Lizzie Fitzpatrick. “I tried to span my vocals from soft to cord-ripping, a bid to show the aggression in the song.” Fitzpatrick’s ability to deliver soft lines and ear-shredding screams at the flick of a switch is what makes ‘Martyr’ such a powerful tune. Underscored by Nigel Kenny’s heavy yet buoyant drumming and Barry O’Sullivan’s brooding bass lines, the single demands repeated listens to fully appreciate each of these formidable elements.

Listen to ‘Martyr’ below and follow Bitch Falcon on bandcamp, Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

 

Order Bitch Falcon’s debut album Staring At Clocks here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Total Rubbish – ‘Honey Ryder’

The name’s Rubbish, Total Rubbish, and they’re a Philadelphia-based trio who craft grungy-yet-poppy guitar tunes about everything from “Bond Girls” to odd-end jobs. Their debut single ‘Honey Ryder’ shares its name with the first ever Bond Girl featured in the 1962 film Dr. No, and the band describe it as an ode to “the first babe in a long line of babes.”

Formed of Bre Steinfeldt (bass), Cass Nguyen (guitar) and Kiki Schiller (drums), Total Rubbish recently signed to Born Losers Records to release their upcoming record, Triple Negative on the 20th September. ‘Honey Ryder’ is lifted from the EP, and it’s a sweet taste of the band’s talent for combining melodic vocals with dense, swirling riffs.

Inspired by the likes of The Dandy Warhols, Veruca Salt and the Velvet Underground, the ironically named Total Rubbish are ready to deliver their bittersweet take on disappointing relationships, new beginnings and historical babes with their upcoming EP. Listen to ‘Honey Ryder’ below and follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Caro Ramirez

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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