More about: Lady Bird

Where can you start with Lady Bird? Is it back in 2018 with their debut EP, the quipping Social Potions, or do you jump straight into their new debut album WE? The answer is your own: they all hold special qualities, represent something beautiful and have their own nuances. But for now let's kick things off with the brand spanking new premium punk LP WE. 

Immediately, ‘GUIDED HESITATION’ sets the standard with determination and intent, vocalist Sam dishing out frustrated lyrics with a fucked-off demeanor. An uncompromising grit underlies the track and is Lady Bird at their most serious: it's the most distilled version of their angrier side. The three following tracks are previously-released singles ‘BLUDSUCKERS’, ‘FACTORY FOOL’ and ‘INFANTS’. They hit on the usual Lady Bird safe bets and what you’d usually expect from the band: snappy and witty with a never-ending drive. 

But now comes time for Lady Bird to branch out, with a well-loved coming of age anthem. The three-piece have had to dig especially deep to harness the nostalgia of '90s pop-punk on ‘INDIVIDUALISM’. Title track ‘WE’ is heartbreaking to the core, exploring grief and the baggage that holds its hand all too tightly. Taking things acoustic with softly spoken vocals in an unpolished one take, it’s unbelievably raw. Before parting ways with your ears, Alex and Joe can be heard comforting each other whilst tears are shed. 

Quickly, sorrow is washed away via bulleting lyrics flying straight at your head at the beginning of ‘KARMA’, with a twisted and crippling bridge the tone really does shift back to something more antagonistic. Speaking of which, ‘LIL BUBBA’ follows with growling riffs that precede lyrical disdain for societal growth towards consumerism. 

With the uplifting melody of closer ‘SAY A LIL SOMETHING’ encouraging you to wrap your arms around friends, we're forced to appreciate the LP for what it represents: anger, growth, pain and love. 

WE arrives 25 February via Alcopop! Records.

Issue Four of the Gigwise Print magazine is on pre-order now! Order here.

More about: Lady Bird