The Beautiful Eggs – alias Holly Ross and David Blackwell – are again with Eggsistentialism the band’s first album in 4 years.
Produced as soon as once more by The Flaming Lips‘ studio wiz Dave Fridmann, it charts a tough interval for the couple as they battle to retain their fiercely unbiased work ethic.
Working from Lancaster, the psych-punk duo famously insist on complete autonomy, recording in their very own studio, releasing music on their very own label, reserving their very own gigs and even driving themselves to exhibits.
Constructing a fan base by tireless gigging and skilful use of social media, they’ve lately added their very own Beautiful Eggs TV Present on YouTube to their clutch (geddit) of choices.
However combating the great combat can take its toll as Holly explains:
“It’s a little bit of a ‘wilderness years’ album. We haven’t launched a brand new document since 2020 and within the meantime, we’ve been right here combating shit and attempting to defend a proper to a way of life that we’ve loved right here on this city for the final 30+ years.
“It’s about believing in one thing and never letting go. However that unwillingness to present in finally takes its toll. It does begin to destroy you and the album is form of a documentation of that destruction and collapse in addition to the energy we’ve obtained to get by all of it.”
By no means one to duck massive themes, Holly says the album is about “life and demise”.
“It’s about loss and energy. On this album you’ll hear us at our lowest and most vulnnerable.”
On condition that context you may count on Eggsistentialism to be a bitter, miserable album, however whereas it’s definitely indignant and aggressive in components, it’s finally inspiring and even uplifting.
The sense of ache and battle is most evident within the thrashier extra straight-up punk tracks like I Don’t Fucking Know What I’m Gonna Do and the defiant opener Dying Grip Youngsters.
“Shove your funding up your arse/We don’t need your cash,” Holly sneers on Dying Grip… towards a barrage of bludgeoning overdriven energy chords.
Elsewhere the temper is extra wistful, notably on seven-minute magnum opus Nothing/All the pieces.
A deceptively candy, expansive manufacturing, it options sweeping vocals from Holly towards a backdrop of throbbing digital bleeps and blurts.
So-called “correct jobs” and the every day grind will get taken to activity on Folks TV, whereas I’m Gaia appears to be in regards to the epic battle to get by the very worst life throws at you.
“Whenever you inform the group you’re damaged/they usually clap for extra.”
Reminiscence Man, with its handled guitars, is likely one of the most fascinating tracks musically, whereas Echo You – has shades of a Tangerine Dream digital soundtrack.
Better of all although is lead single My Temper Wave – it’s ’60’s California surf vibe and heat double-tracked vocals making a soothing, swirling wall of sound.
With its acapella intro, Issues is likely one of the extra avant garde choices, its spidery guitars and sludgy keyboards resembling one thing that crawled out of The Fall‘s playbook.
The music belies the brooding desperation of the lyrics, as Holly seeks to close out the pressures of every day life.
The primary providing from Egg-land since 2020’s indie chart-topping I Am Moron, Eggsistentialism sees the band confronting private and common challenges head on.
Usually eclectic, however conceptually cohesive, it’s an emotive and enlightening piece of labor.
However hey, overlook about what I believe, hear it for yourselves on the Beautiful Eggs UK tour, which begins in Could. Full particulars under.
- Eggsistentialism is launched on Could 17 through The Beautiful Eggs’ personal Egg Data label and is on the market to pre-order right here
- Catch The Beautiful Eggs stay on their UK tour in Could. Tickets and dates accessible right here
- For extra about The Beautiful Eggs go to them on-line through web site, Fb, X and Instagram
