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New Jersey-based rock band Screaming Females released their latest album Desire Pathway on February 17th. Comprised of Marissa Paternoster (vocals, guitar), “King Mike” Mike Abbate (bass), and Jarrett Dougherty (drums), Screaming Females exceptionally compounds elements of indie, alt, and punk. Desire Pathway was recorded at Pachyderm Studios (where Nirvana recorded In Utero) and produced by Matt Bayles (Pearl Jam, Foxing, etc.). With brilliantly robust vocals, howling riffs, and mighty drums, Screaming Females remains unparalleled in this release.
“Brass Bell” tears this album open with an intense, growing synth, abruptly cut by a gritty riff. Giving way to a strong drum beat, wailing guitar materializes. This intro gradually transports you to another world, as reflected in the first lyrics, “I have flown us to the moon.” Paternoster’s belting vocals command attention, proclaiming the chorus, “I’m living in a brass bell and/It’s too loud, it’s too loud.” This cosmic track makes you feel small, yielding to tremendous power.
“Desert Train” pulls away from this dominating force, seizing agency as a newfound powerhouse. The chorus charges forward, “Forget my name/I’m a freight train in the desert dragging chains.” The rhythm and quick tempo of this song feels like a train plowing down a track. Paternoster sees us out with epic, brazen guitar. This fiery, liberating anthem declares Screaming Females’ power, and we’re just along for the ride.
“So Low” is a slow, stripped down track, featuring only Paternoster and her guitar. This intimate, soft variation acts as a breather from Desire Pathway’s heavy, colossal tracks. The driving point repeated through the song, “Would you keep me anyway?” exudes a sense of longing. Questioning the extent of love, “If I burned the house down,” “If I broke both knees while I tried to kneel,” “Though I keep myself/So low,” all ties back to that repeated line. Paternoster’s vocals feel bemused and deeply personal, like we’ve stumbled in on a private moment.
Desire Pathway is a bold, immense album. Pairing mean, kick-ass heavy rock and poetically crafted lyrics, Screaming Females are front runners of the rock scene.
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