FOR FANS OF: SPRINTS, NEW DAD, THE LAST DINNER PARTY, SLEATER KINNEY, WOLF ALICE.
Mannequin Pussy, a four piece hailing Philadelphia, released their self-titled album in 2014 and have since added three more to their collection. They aim to push back on the brutality of reality with an intoxicating mix of lo fi melodies and cathartic in-your-face noise. This provides an almost mesmerising listening experience as their music swings its heady pendulum.
There most recent addition I Got Heaven was released 1 March 2024. The album is an honest emotional tale of a relationship that is reaching the end of its tether, and the emotional trials that comes with these moments in life, focusing particularly on warring independence and dependence. The very title “I Got Heaven” seems to exude a braggadocious quality of being everything you want to be, but as we move through the album the unattainable idea of Heaven shines through in a slightly sardonic mocking of reality. The biblical backdrop and the ever present use of loud quiet also suggests a person frozen between the angels and devils shouting loaded advice into paralysed ears.
The album seems to be their most ambitious effort yet. The sound is a lot thicker than on the previous albums, providing a more immersive experience. This is particularly prevalent in the more melodic calmer moments which have a tendency to whisk you away to a beautiful and fragile dreamscape.
In terms of notable tracks on the album “OK?OK!OK?OK!” is a real shotgun blast to the face. It features scorching riffs and a powerful screeching dynamic between the male and female vocal sections. You really feel in a place of pure anguish driven chaos, and it’s fantastic. The second notable track for me was “Softly”. This song is a good example of the breadth of sound on the album. Kicking off with a gentle clean riff that is decorated with punchy guitars, wistful melodies and dancing synths. It then breaks down into the most vulnerable moment on the album which steadily builds to crescendo, taking the listener on a visceral journey of pain and frustration.
Sadly, I Got Heaven’s run time feels like a little bit of a tease. Coming in at only half an hour, it feels like it’s over before it’s really got going. Having said this, it is their longest record to date meaning that it’s probably the band’s decision to keep things short and punchy—possibly to keep things punk, who knows? But part of me felt like it would have been more complete with a few extra tracks. I also feel that for all of the dynamism in the album there are parts of it that feel quite one dimensional, as though maybe some of the tender love and care was going into dressing up certain more exciting aspects of the album and some bits were just forgotten about.
In short, this album is a good punk record full of interesting and dynamic sounds and powerful emotive lyrics and melodies. It hasn’t broken down any huge creative boundaries, nonetheless a solid album and worth a listen.
WRITTEN BY RICHARD FLETCHER
NOBODY MAGAZINE 