Sophomore releases are always a tricky thing, regardless of how long a band has been together. Do you stick to what you’ve already done? Do you shift as your collective writing improves or changes tack? Girls In Synthesis may have had a lot of good feedback about their debut, but it’s that critical time of building on that good first impression.
Noisy, brash, and full of attitude, it’s a highly impressive introduction to the band, if this is your first port of call. They’ve continued along the lines of their 2020 debut ‘Now Here’s An Echo From Your Future’, though they’ve amped up the noise edge, with sonic screeching through a lot of their songs. At times, they are almost reminiscent of the likes of Public Image Limited, with added noise edge, with an impression of Hawkwind being channeled into a post-punk setting when looking at the likes of the lead single ‘Watch With Mother’.
In terms of describing their sounds with other bands, you could look at Northern upstarts Evil Blizzard mixed with the likes of Big Black – that jangly, noise-riddled guitar effect over a dystopian post-punk rhythm section, which can at times not be very easy listening. Lyrically, there seems to be a high level of introspection – best shown in ‘To A Fault’, with its spoken word ending – and the anger of what’s happening around them to both themselves and the populace at large.
There is a variety to the sound, showing a depth of songwriting ability, without straying too far from what is clearly their core musical concept, which shows their conviction in their creation, too. It’s quite interesting comparing the slightly more jangly edge to that of their debut, as this is something that could quite easily set them apart as part of the growing ‘uneasy listening’ brigade that are chomping at the bit to break through into the spotlight right now. Something that, should they continue on their current trajectory, should be attainable for them sooner rather than later.
It’s overall a very good album and a strong contender for my album of the year, just as thoughts are starting to turn towards that subject. at times something that could invoke the curiosity of the more mainstream, at others, most definitely not close to that, yet all tied up as a parcel you will just want more and more of. A very strong sophomore showing from an act that are clearly destined to become one of the ÜK’s shining lights in modern music.
- ‘The Rest Is Distraction’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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