Album review by Bec Harbour – photo by Lachlan Douglas
Sophomore albums are often the difficult ones for artists to deliver. Whatever internal struggles, writers block or inspiration voids that other bands might suffer through to deliver that second album is not apparent on Glitoris’ self-titled second offering. It pulls no punches and delivers from end to end.
For those that need a primer on Glitoris, let me give it to you here; they are unapologetically political, feminist, climate change activists with a huge part of that activism advocating for our First Nations people. They also have an amazing vehicle to deliver this to you – they are all amazing musicians and song-writers who can compose a song that is catchy as hell, with a message that will give you pause.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this album despite having heard a few songs at Regurgitator’s Units mini-festival in Brisbane back in March. I did think that there was a lot more funk in the bass and a lot more of a pop sound but you sometimes can never tell from a festival gig, a bands new directions.
Starting off an album with a call to action never hurts, and ‘Choose Your Fighter’ delivers perfectly on this with marching sounds and staccato vocals. This song is chock-full of acerbic references to our world’s politicians and their performance on the world stage with the cluster-fucks of the ADF investigations into warcrimes in Afghanistan and other military scandals. The bridge is REDACTED and ‘Choose Your Fighter’ sets the tone and pace for this record – it comes out fighting.
Next up is first single ‘Lickety Split’. I was confused by this one and subsequent listens confused me more, was it a song of seduction or not? And you know what, it is a love song to sex positivity, our queer community, and sex workers. Third song in ‘Sock Puppet’ is the second single and starts off with a low growling bass – this song veers close to 90’s grunge but don’t expect it to stay there long (thematic through this album – unexpected changes in tempo, genre and pitch). ‘Sock Puppet’ tackles the very present day issue of internet trolls and the other problematic issues that no-one seems to know what to do with the rise of the fifth estate and the new media disruptors.
My favourite song on the album ‘Femicide’ opens with big riffs that are juxtaposed against a very feminine sing-song chorus. This song is exactly what you think it’s about from the title, womxn issues such as healthcare, equality and JUST BEING HEARD! The refrain is symptomatic of why so many womxn lead endeavours fail – a lack of unity – “Women united, will never be defeated…” they are right you know..
‘The Op Ed’ looks at investigative journalism, and veers back to social media with mentions of trending hashtags and a lack of accountability from both journalists and our politicians – with the Britney Higgins story still fresh and pulling headlines, accountability is certainly something we could all do with from both our investigative journalists and our politicians. ‘Power Pop’ sounds like exactly that power-pop-punk that was huge in the early 2000’s with a tinge of hair-metal in there. Do you think that you are going to get away with a pure pop song thrown in here? Nope this one challenges the current inaction on climate that is frustrating to most of us today.
‘Oizys’ is a changeling – it has elements of punk (reminding me of local punks Flangipanis), it then funks up and then gets all dramatic rock-opera on you – it’s an absolute ride. Considering that Oizys is the Greek Goddess of misery, depression and anxiety, this is how a big cross-section of our population feels on a daily basis – a rollercoaster of emotion, this is that in music form. ‘Spoiler Alert’ is a good fun track – this is a song that Jello Biafra might have done in any of his post-Dead Kennedy’s incarnations with a western comedic feel.
When I spoke to guitarist ‘Andrew’ way back before lockdowns, we spoke about the importance of recognising and supporting our First Nations people. ‘The Goat’ solidifies Glitoris’ continuing activism and support for First Nations, particularly at this time where the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum is not getting enough airplay in anywhere in this country. It is probably the most punk sounding track on the album but in keeping with the twists and turns on this album, veers back into proggy territory.
And then we come to the end with ‘The Glitterball’. If Glitoris did what a major record label told them to do, the record label probably would have told them to release this as a single. It’s a pop-punk anthem, its sing-a-longable and if theres any political stuff in there its well obscured – its fun, pretty sure its about spinning around on a dance-floor. It’s a really unexpected and fun way to finish the album.
Glitoris‘ self titled second album is a politically charged, feminist, activist masterpiece. Every time you listen, you get a new piece of information to digest and the music is magnificent, carrying what can be an uncomfortable message to some, welcome to others. It’s glorious, unapologetic and absolutely punk-rock.
9.5/10 – Glitoris’ self titled album is out now
