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PUMEROSA DEVASTATION
Katie Bilham
It’s finally here. Much anticipated on the indie scene, Pumarosa’s second album “Devastation” arrives two years aſter “The Witch” Their sound is undeniably unique, a mix of techno, trance and grunge, with a little pinch of something you can’t quite put your finger on. Opening with the single “Fall Apart”, you
can tell straight away that this is a much darker tone to the band’s previous work. Isabel sings moody lyrics, a-la “The Only Ones”, over almost inaccessible electronic beats. It’s actually incredibly hard to extract
individual songs from the album as a whole. There are however a few stand out tracks. “Loose Control” takes on pop elements (wrapped up in the unmistakable garb of Pumarosa weirdness) to compliment the foot tapping beat and catchy chorus. The albums namesake “Devastation” is absolutely my favourite of the tracks, meeting in the middle of the emotional lyricism and electronic elements of the album. There’s something so sexy about this album, and despite the bluntness of some of the lyrics (I’d rather you didn’t fuck me in a coffin, Isabel), there’s a real rawness and vulnerability that is so fantastically attractive, especially in a music scene dominated by cloying love songs and lacklustre shallow pop music.
FALSE ADVERTISING BRAINFREEZE
Jon Seymour
Manchester’s False Advertising mean business. Their debut album released on new label Alcopop Records comes at you right from the off. It’s a relentless assault on the ears, but in a good way. Musically, there are very grungy undertones, layered with fuzzy guitars and punchy vocals. The tracks move seamlessly from one to
the next. There’s a lot of distorted vocal used throughout, but it melds well with the clean sounding vocals, making for songs that hold your interest, which you really need to listen to.
The band have enjoyed some high-
profile support slots, so they’re making waves in all the right places. This album is a statement of intent, and an impressive one at that. Overall, this is a cracking debut album
with tons of attitude and grime, and you almost feel like you need a shower aſter listening, but instead you’ll just hit the repeat button and do it all over again. In fact it should come with a “could cause addiction” warning, because it will keep you coming back time aſter time. With music of this quality, it shouldn’t be much longer before they start headlining venues rather than supporting.
EMILY JANE WHITE IMMANENT FIRE
David Auckland
This latest album from Californian musician Emily Jane White, this Oakland born balladeer will discover much within this collection of ten songs that will challenge and re-energise. Immanent Fire (cf. 'imminent' – the two
words have very different meanings) is a stark exploration in darkness and light which spans a spectrum of tone from breathy and sensitive to onerous and weighty. Following the themes of race and gender inequality explored in 2016's They Moved In Shadow All Together, White re-assesses a world that now appears to be on the brink of destruction, and attempts to honour the sacred, the earthly and the feminine in a society still consumed by capitalism, colonialism and patriarchy. Listening to the deepening storm
that follows opening track 'Surrender' into 'Drowned', and to the atmosphere of foreboding within 'Infernal', and of resignation in'Washed Away', it seems difficult to find hope or solace within Immanent Fire. However, the pastoral sounds of 'Metamorphosis', reminiscent of Bat For Lashes, act as a tipping point, leading to a more tranquil outcome that symbolically concludes with 'The Gates At The End'. Thought-provoking, at times perhaps a little clichéd, but entirely relevant and altogether rather beautiful.
18 / DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 2020 /
OUTLINEONLINE.CO.UK
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