By Jonni Davidson
It’s hard to believe that less than a year has passed since Problem Patterns made their grand entrance onto the Belfast music scene. In just a few short months, the punk quartet has garnered a fierce reputation as a formidable live act, as well as grabbing the cultural zeitgeist by the lapels in the form of the timely single, ‘Allegedly’. Expectations have been high for a more extensive release from the band. Well, worry not folks, for Problem Patterns apparently don’t like to disappoint.
The cheekily titled ‘Good For You, Aren’t You Great?’, manages to fully encapsulate everything that has endeared them to their fan base, whilst exploring new creative avenues. Put simply, these ladies make a clear statement that they are more than just a riot grrrl act. Those elements are undeniably present on this EP, but the spectrum of influences represented by these four tracks is rather unexpected.
As a live act, the band has become known for eschewing a central front person; instead alternating roles depending on the song. Incredibly, this fluidity has been captured in their recordings, with the symbiotic personalities of Bethany, Bev, Alanah and Ciara being a considerable reason as to why these songs are so effective.
The opening song ‘Day and Age’ builds off the band’s core punk sound with infectious, buzz-saw lead guitar lines and a passionately feral vocal performance lambasting many of the modern stereotypes that patriarchal systems hold against women. ‘Gal Pals’ has an overall more peppy tone, leaning into its college rock looseness and hooky gang vocals, as its tongue in cheek lyricism deals with the ways in which queer relationships are often unfairly perceived. Problem Patterns consistently marry these socio-politically conscious themes with a buoyant spirit, with ‘Medicore Man’ being the comedic highlight anchored by a beast of an overdriven bass line. The closing ‘Sell By Date’ similarly highlights the strength of the rhythm section with a groove that harkens back to nineties’ alternative as a backdrop to the musings on female autonomy.
The theatrically spirited vocals and lo-fi charm of ‘Good For You…’ certainly do a lot to endear it to the listener. However, the main selling point is just how good the song writing is here; even more impressive considering it’s a debut EP. Problem Patterns prove themselves worthy of the hype surrounding them, as they endeavour to raise awareness of very real issues in the hope of instigating much-needed societal change, all the while playing kickass punk music. They do both of these things very well.
- ‘Good For You, Aren’t You Great?’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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