Dream Spouse have all the time been able to dismantle the patriarchy and rail in opposition to the injustices and inequality of the world. On their 2018 self-titled debut album, they launched themselves as a trio who refused to be merely eye sweet for onlookers – “I’m not my physique, I’m any person,” they declared on ‘Someone’. ‘Homesick’, taken from 2020’s ‘So When You Gonna…’, noticed them unabashedly declare their sexuality and specific needs.
‘Social Lubrication’, their third album, finds them choosing up the place they left off – after which ramping issues up a number of notches. Throughout its 10 tracks, the three-piece ship pointed and poignant messages concerning the world we’re residing in, however accomplish that in a manner that by no means will get too critical or heavy-handed. As an alternative, Dream Spouse sound like they’re having probably the most enjoyable they’ve ever had – and we’re all invited to hitch within the merriment.
On the report’s title observe, they ship up the issues girls are instructed about ageing and their position in society – “I’ve aborted this unsolicited recommendation, play good,” Rakel Mjöll sneers. “Be enticing however don’t financial institution on it / Your womb is a ticking time bomb.” Because the music continues, guitarist Alice Go and bassist Bella Podpadec twist it right into a bouncy banger for the indie disco, an idea made all of the extra thrilling as their bandmate continues her takedown of patriarchal forces.
The creeping, wiry ‘Leech’ serves up a largely spoken phrase dismissal of males who abuse their energy and uphold misogyny of their day by day interactions. “Confirmed responsible till nothing is mistaken, eh? / Did you’re taking that image of me asleep / Laughing about that point you bought kicked out of your uni?” Mjöll asks, voice indifferent and monotonous. Her supply doesn’t keep that manner for lengthy, although, it rising and coursing with emotion as she half-mocks, half-threatens, “Simply have some fucking empathy” after which shifts gear right into a blood-curdling scream: “The leech is out for blood / They received’t cease, received’t cease / Til they get each drop.”
There are many classes to be discovered between the humour and discordance on ‘Social Lubrication’, not least through the riotous ‘Scorching (Don’t Date A Musician)’. “Date a plumber or an electrician / A panorama architect or perhaps a magician,” Dream Spouse urge us. “Date a professor or doctor / Simply anybody moreover a musician.” On the Blondie-reminiscent ‘Curious’, they remind us lust, want, love and enjoyable don’t have to finish when your hair turns gray and also you’re not within the prime of youth. “My grandma is 85 / She tells me she’s lastly peaking, ah, nearly ripe / And so is her intercourse life ” Mjöll sings.
One other blistering, sensible missive from certainly one of rock’s most fearless bands, on ‘Social Lubrication’, Dream Spouse show two issues. Firstly, social commentary and exorcising your fury on the world don’t must be joyless, and secondly, they’re nonetheless one of the very important acts we’ve obtained proper now.
Particulars
- Launch date: June 9, 2023
- File label: Fortunate Quantity Music
