As a prelude to their forthcoming album punk popsters and prime live attraction Fightmilk package together their first two sold-out EPs and bonus tracks…
1. Admin. Stunning opener; the band burst in on top of the guitar fanfare line leading into a frustrating tale of office job pointlessness; ‘…looking for fun where there just ain’t none…’, the words nailing the mood with plenty of dry wit.
2. Jesse. Brooding introduction then springing into life like a 70s Blondie A-side. A stinging demolition of love/hate towards the title character in every phrase of the lyrics.
3. Your Girlfriend. The dissonant guitar figure over minimalist backing is the musical core of this tour de force, it’s a sinister loud ballad, again with a turmoil of mixed emotion that remains unresolved with wry lyrics along the way ‘…I don’t have a pencil case but if I did I’d write your names…’
4. Winter Boy. The tempo steps back up, with a storming vocal from Lily Rae, on repeated listens you pick out the multiple musical twists and turns that are a feature of many of these tracks.
5. Some Boys. One of the bonus tracks but definitely one of my favourites musically, a joyous speedy two minutes with rousing hookline chorus from the rest of the band. There is even a key change to match the gender switch of the lyric.
6. Pity Party. Defined as ‘an instance of indulging in self-pity or eliciting pity from other people’ but actually sounding quite fun here (and on the accompanying video) due to the strength of this song, the lead track on one of the original EPs. The verses build stealthily to the glorious choruses.
7. Bank of Mum and Dad. Combining a Sex Pistols style pounding introduction giving way to the wittiest lyrics of the album with affectionate nods to the foibles of parents (‘….their love is beginning to drive me mad, there’s Antiques Roadshow on a Sunday night….’), as the returning to live at home narrator gets increasingly irked over her now very common plight. Brilliant!
8. Chaperone. Don’t be fooled by the distant piano introduction – this is another two minute blast of assertive raw power with drums to the fore.
9. Nye. A bittersweet acknowledgement that a New Year’s Eve and its party can be a most unrewarding experience. ‘…we get the night that we deserve…who knows the words to Auld Lang Syne?…’. It is a cleverly constructed song, with a winning and intense vocal performance.
10. Nobody Hates You No-one Cares. If ‘Nye’ brings the mood down a bit then this is the antidote; a proper punk anthem (‘…my boyfriend’s rubbish…and the band he’s in is rubbish as well…’). Fightmilk are having a great time on this track, and it is infectious…
I look forward to the new album…
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