REVIEW: Silence Yourself by The Savages

   "Come on in. I have a bar set up, how about a drink?"
"No thanks."
 "Oh, come on, loosen up a little, have a drink"
"No thank you, I don't want one."
"Sit down. Should we call room service, you're not hungry?"
"No."
"How old are you really? I'm trying to be patient, how old are you? Hm?"
 "I'm sixty five. How old are you?"

      This how the fantastic debut album by all-female, British, post-punk band Savages, called Silence Yourself, opens. These words are spoken and then we are introduced to the music in a throbbing bass line that starts to layer on guitar, then drum, and then vocals. The opening track 'Shut Up' demands to be listened to with your full attention and doesn't let go. This describes the album very well in total. This an album that refuses to be ignored. There is not one moment where the atmosphere lets up on the attack. The ferocity of the music might change, but the ferocity of the feelings behind the music are always there. The second track is actually called "I Am Here" which feels like a statement about the album refusing to let down. At shows The Savages put up signs that tell you to put away your phone and live in the real world. This album tears you away from the digital world and other any other imaginary worlds and places you into reality, but you're happy to be in reality because this album is there and this album is just so damn awesome.

      This album recreates the raw emotion of Closer or Unknown Pleasures and even tops it some places with brutal and honest lyrics and pure distortion. While Jehnny Beth might not be a beautiful singer, her voice creates an extremely high amount of emotion that goes perfect with the blistering instrumentals. Often violently delivered lyrics are clearly heard while still being full of energy and anger. This anger goes against social norms. Even in a more calm setting in the song 'Marshal Dear', you can feel the despair and sensuality of the album. Not to give all credit to Jehnny though, instrumental track "Dead Nature" is one of the most emotional on the album, creating a vivid picture of death. Even with all this emotion, the songs on album are relatively catchy and just a blast to listen to. The album doesn't go too experimental which would make it hard to listen to, but it goes far enough to make it very interesting to listen to. The guitar and in particular the bass create a beautiful, angry, and catchy base for the music to stand on. I have very few problems with this album, it very rarely deviates from being the fantastic album it is. I'm going to give this album 9/10 stars for being a great album, one of the best of the year so far.

BEST TRACKS: 'Shut Up', 'Strife', 'No Face', 'Hit Me', 'Husbands'

★★★★★★★★★☆