Norwegian four-piece Sløtface have burst out with their debut LP, packed with strong feminist undertones, relatable lyrics and pop-punk danceability.
The album kicks off with the riff-heavy and anthemic Magazine, “Patti Smith would never put up with this shit,” croons vocalist Haley Shea. Bearing a ‘90s grunge vibe, there’s highs and lows in the fuzzy guitar, contrasting grit and reverb. There’s also some seriously catchy guitar work happening in tracks like Pitted and Pools, and the bass is an unnerving force throughout.
Lyrically, the album pushes through feminist topics, from women in the music industry in Nancy Drew, to the mundane, day to day and societal expectations of women (i.e. the sardonic Magazine). Sun Bleached, a poppy little number early in the album, deals with the exceptionally relatable, “I got chipped nail polish/and I’m trying to keep the dirt out/from underneath my fingernails.” Who can’t relate to that?
While the album doesn’t re-invent the wheel, Sløtface deliver flawless pop-punk, laden with serious hooks, jangle and attitude. It starts upbeat, forays through the melancholy, and finishes with serious punch. Give it a few listens, let those melodies jive into your mind, and have a singalong.
