What does it sound like?:
Coming straight out of a tradition of prickly new waveish female-led guitar bands, Dream Wife are on their third album now and their sound is well defined: hooky Wire-like guitar lines interwoven with a thrusting, muscular rhythm section overlaid with front lady Rakel Mjöll’s own now-speaking, now-singing, now-shrieking style of delivery. The songs want to grab you straight away and, having made their point, don’t overstay their welcome. You get ten songs in 39 minutes and it’s nine in 35 if you skip Honestly, the weakest track here.
The new album leans a bit more into riffage and momentum than previous releases. There’s nothing here like the lovely women’s health rights ballad After The Rain that closed their last album.
When the pace of the music does slow a little, the lyrics maintain the aggression. Recent hit-in-our-house Leech is an attack on those who prey on and drag out of the (especially female) talent, which feels like progress from forebears Elastica’s girl group picks on girl groupies hit Line Up.
That’s not to say Dream Wife are all snarl; album highlight Mascara is a big wet sentimental kiss of a thing.
What does it all *mean*?
There’s nothing revolutionary here. This record could have come out in 1979 and would have fitted right in. But this is The Afterword, so that’s no bad thing, right?
Goes well with…
Jumping up and down, playing air guitar, I dunno…life?!
Release Date:
June 9th. Out now!
Might suit people who like…
Catchy, well-played, stroppy, guitar music in the post-punk tradition
Here’s a video:
Ooh! I like that!
Is this representative?
Yeah, pretty much. Here’s Leech for further clarification:
They are also a really good live act. Although older men should stay near the back of the room.
I nearly went to see them because my faves Sink Ya Teeth were supporting. Until it was explained to me that I might be the wrong gender and/or age.
It’s 2023, F – gender is a choice and age ain’t nuthin’ but a number..
You’d have been fine. They insist that the front area is strictly a safe zone for their female fans. That means from the middle back the middle aged men can stand and enjoy the show.
Crap! I’ve done a Jaygee and submitted this twice (problems with the album cover). Help, please Mods, whenever suits ya..
Thanks Mods!