Reviews

Seitan Hell Bike Punx

Confetti Malaise A Thousand Burning Suns LP

If you like synth-heavy coldwave, then let me introduce you to CONFETTI MALAISE from Marseille, France. This initial full-length finds the four-piece band with ten songs that vary in energy from dancefloor swingers to the occasional melodic, emotionally-driven ballads. Hard-hitting bass and ethereal synth and guitar work creates a party atmosphere fit for our present armageddon. There’s something here that reminds me of BLAQK AUDIO, but with an early SOUTHERN DEATH CULT bend. Give this a listen, and I guarantee you’ll be swaying with a Djarum Black in your hand.

No Drama Papershop / A City Within 7″

This band from Toulouse really leans into labeling themselves as ’90s retro, and I mean, yeah. The A-side especially recalls shimmery indie pop that could have been released on Simple Machines or Teenbeat in the mid-’90s, and their previous EP is kinda grungy. What saves this from being a trite retread is excellent songwriting and performance/production that sounds scrappy and not too slick. I was really not expecting to get anarcho vibes from the B-side, but here we are! It reminds me of the random mellow song that sticks out on a Bullshit Detector comp or some other early ’80s UK comp to benefit a bail fund for hunt saboteurs. It kind of sounds like a really chill MOB or BLYTH POWER song, or later OMEGA TRIBE, in that it’s poppy, for sure, and chill and even pretty, but has a stinky punk soul deep inside.

Pożoga Wolfpack Attack EP

We got us a ripper right here. No shortage of driving riffs, barking vocals and straight up nassssty bass tone. I would call it D-beat leaning hardcore, with plenty of moshy parts, but nothing too derivative. The band would definitely fit well on a bill with the UK’s ARMS RACE. Clear influence from GBH, VARUKERS, DISCHARGE, etc., and even reminded me a bit of BLOODKROW BUTCHER. There’s also a pretty rocking cover of “No Hay Futuro” by Spain’s RIP. The band is based out of Dublin, but comprised of immigrants from all over the world.

Radical Kitten Uppercat 12″

After their first full-length Silence is Violence from 2020, RADICAL KITTEN is out with their second release Uppercat. Groove-driven post-punk through a queer and feminist lens gives perspective on “No Means No” with lines like “No means no! / Patriarchy fuck off,” and the absolute ripper of a track “Fake as Fuck” that death screams at the end of the line “These two-faced peoples will try to trick anyway / No, I don’t wanna waste my time on them!” There’s some spiky energy at work here, with bobbling bass lines and great drum fills reminiscent of Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat-era MINUTEMEN set to the political fervor of PYLON. Great album. This Toulouse, France trio is one to watch!