Entering the pantheon of brilliant yet ridiculously named recent groups is up-and-comer Freak Slug. The project of Manchester multi-disciplinary artist Xenya Genovese, this ten-track debut sees the artist confidently use the palette of 90s cult acts to create a hazy vibe to explore. With the past few years spent making a splash with EPs ‘Videos’ and ‘I’m In Love’, ‘I Blow Out Big Candles’ is a bold and assured statement, blending pop hooks with a sense of nocturnal longing. The result is a grungy set of eccentric love songs built for the hopeless romantics out there.
Opening with the appropriately named ‘Ya Ready,’ twinkling keys and acoustic guitar soon give way to a brooding bassline and sax blasts as Genovese lays on dreamy angst with her vocals. It’s a somewhat oppressive opener, soon rectified with the glorious alt-pop that follows. On ‘Sexy Lemon,’ melancholic organ is meshed with a modern R&B groove, with Genovese opting for a sarcastic Brit-pop sneer on top. The fresh results go way beyond the standard 90s rock revival tones currently touted by many bands.
The following ‘Spells’ continues the swagger, post-punk, and electronica joining hands to make a glitched-out floor filler. It’s a bratty earworm, and we mean that in the best possible way. At the album’s midpoint, the 90s are ditched in favor of the neon lights of the 80s, Freak Slug adopting Peter Hook-worthy bass and Cure-esque dreamy guitars. On ‘Be Your Girl’ and ‘Get Away,’ queer love is celebrated with dizzying smiles, the album’s darker hues interrupted by bursts of sunshine. Look no further if you like your love songs catchy and somewhat delirious.
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The back half of the album sees the artist return to the loud-quiet-loud dynamics of her alt-rock inspirations, ‘Witch’ in particular, invoking The Breeders’ blend of melody and rage before switching modes once again. ‘I Blow Out Big Candles’ final moments, ‘Piece of Cake’ / ‘Ugly Smile,’ sees Freak Slug embrace the everyday observational songwriting of classic Blur. The mundane is celebrated over unserious and often surreal lyrics, reminiscent of Graham Coxon at his most breezy.
At its worst, Freak Slug’s debut suffers a little from hero worship, but for the most part, these ten tracks reveal an artist who is willing to push the envelope further. In recent years, a boatload of new artists have been rocking Big Muff and chorus pedals to create – often excellent – waves of noise. What has usually been lacking is the desire to deviate from these true and tested formulas.
On its highlights, namely ‘Spells’ and ‘Sexy Lemon,’ Genovese has combined these Gen X tools with today’s brash and unapologetic pop tones. ‘I Blow Out Big Candles’ is a fun time that hints at something very exciting next time around.
7/10
Words: Sam Walker-Smart
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