Music billed as “the sound of our particular moment in time” can feel a little gimmicky, but Porridge Radio aren’t chasing trends, trends are catching up to them. The rest of the world is now just as bitter and disillusioned as Porridge Radio, and they have decided that this moment belongs to them alone. Seriously, lead singer Dana Margolin went into a NME interview and said “I’ve always known that we’re the best band on earth.”
If that claim makes them sound a little full of themselves, it’s not entirely unjustified. The album is built off a pretty traditional post punk formula, but it never feels like a throwback. The aggressive dour guitar tones, repetitive song structures, and wounded sarcasm call back to bands like Public Image Ltd, Pere Ube, and, of course, Joy Division. However the sound of the band takes a lot of risks as well, incorporating heavier noise-influenced passages and more memorable melodies.
Another appeal, aside from the overall sound, comes from the vocals. Margolin’s voice could hardly be described as beautiful, but she exudes the kind of self-assured, yet depressive swagger usually only rewarded in male alt-rock stars. Her lyrics repeat often, going into dark spirals, but the sheer intensity of her performances keep the music from getting stale.
The album isn’t a joyous experience, but if you need a intensely cathartic outlet for some negative emotions (And don’t we all right about now?) then I would highly recommend this album.
-Adrian F