If you're a fan of Riot Grrrl with a heavier twist, dinner is served on Sour Tongue's latest release. At just thirteen minutes long, FINAL GIRL packs in a lifetime's worth of emotion. Once you've finished listening to it for the first time, I guarantee you're going to want to put it on again. And maybe again, like I did.
Reminiscent, but not square in the lines of 90's groove metal and grunge, noisy layers of guitar and drum breaks give the songs cohesion, while the vocals and structure draw them apart. Lead singer Satori Marill reaches powerhouse status at just one minute into the first song, "Disappointer," setting the stage for the rest of the four-song EP.
As if the first song wasn't impressive enough, the second one brings an entirely different type of passion. With an incredible range in both pitch and tone, Marill screams with pure conflict on the standout single "I Thought You Liked Me.” This song comes accompanied by a music video that perfectly channels 90s punk nostalgia, shot in black and white with close-ups of the band as they play the song.
As the EP progresses, it builds on themes of independence, anguish, and standing your ground. Not only do the songs tell a story, but they also recall individual experiences of pain and heartbreak. Because of that personal touch, the FINAL GIRL is complete with a sense of craftsmanship that comes from musicians who put both head and heart into their work. It's clear that Sour Tongue isn't here to just play a couple of songs and then leave–they have a message, and they're not going to say it quietly.
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