Angst manifests in many different forms, and deny it all you want, it’s a necessary outlet for the frustrations of the mundane. It’s just a part of life and thankfully, we have music to get us through. More specifically however, we have Girlpool. Self titled as an anti-debut, the Californian duo recently dropped their latest record Powerplant and it’s everything you’ve ever needed to get you through your quarter life crisis. Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad have produced an exceptional and perfectly bitter lyrical body of work, particularly after maxing out their sound with the inclusion of drummer Miles Wintner.
The record reads and listens like the traditional album format should, with each track flowing seamlessly from one to the other, and there’s something so beautifully melancholic about the entirely of the listening experience. In saying that however, there are a few delicious standouts that will have you reaching unashamedly for the repeat button. “Corner Store,” is most definitely one of those standouts. A sing-song backbone forming the majority only to be later blind-sided by a snippet of heavy lo-fi which suits Girlpool to a T.
Some tracks definitely play heavier than others, welcome news for those seeking some extra oomph behind the harmony heavy, lyric driven angst and “She Goes By” is a stand out in this regard. On the flip side, “It Gets More Blue,” will have you longing for your childhood bedroom and a rainy day to heal your heartache in peace.
Through all of the sadness though, there’s this sense of jovial relatability that seems to run through each and every track regardless of intended subject matter, a case of art mirroring life better than anyone could have ever been anticipated. “Anti-debut” or not, it’s one hell of a record, and the perfect remedy for crisis, quarter life or otherwise.
Review Score: 8.7 out of 10.
Powerplant is available now via ANITI-records.
———-
