This album starts off with “Magazine”, and does it ever start with a bang. This one is armed with a Pop Punk riff that was clearly ripped kicking and screaming out of the 90’s, probably the “Clueless” soundtrack in another life. But not even all of these gnarly and rebellious lyrics can give this one any teeth. The riff certainly has a solid groove to it, but I’m just really not into this as an intro at all. I just feel like all of this is nostalgia and absolutely nothing else. But the problem with that is, nostalgia only goes so far. You actually have to have a little substance for a track like this to work. I do, however, really think that frontwoman Haley Shea is good enough at her job to help “Magazine” out a bit. And I’ll give Haley this, she certainly has a lot of personality. But if this is supposed to be reinventing the Riot Grrl movement or being the next phase of Pop Punk, it’s not doing a very good job. However, “Galaxies” right off the bat seems to be a whole lot more conscious of what it wants to be, as Haley goes down a list of very mundane situations and conversations. However, I think because this one isn’t just so drenched in 90’s pastiche I can actually appreciate this a bit. Because let me tell you, this hooks grabs me more than anything Sløtface presented on this album’s intro. Not to mention, the band all together just seem so much more focused and in their comfort zone. It’s still got a lot of the same Pop Punk elements. But man, this is just one hell of a tune, I didn’t cringe once listening to any of this. Plus, all around “Galaxies” is a hell of a passionate performance. I wouldn’t mind hearing more tracks like this. Up next, “Pitted” is a little more rough around the edges and less sonically exhilarating. Haley is back going off on her rebellious rants. But to be honest, this one is a whole lot more likable and actually pretty funny. The humor here ends up making the very rebellious attitude of this album come off so much more believable. I love the little details in the instrumentals as well, like those very anthemic harmonies at the chorus and the slick grooves. What I didn’t enjoy about the singles leading up to this album, was just how serious Sløtface were taking themselves. But hell, “Pitted” is dare I say a fun tune. But oh boy, the sounds of the 90’s are back in a big way on “Sun Bleached”. But lyrically, I don’t find this one nearly as interesting. But instrumentally, I do feel like this is one of the punchier and more explosive tunes on the album, at least for that BIG chorus. But overall, this track really doesn’t stick with me. Like I said, this one has one HELL of a chorus. But I find myself constantly falling asleep on the verses. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Haley really doesn't entertain me at all with her performance. “Sun Bleached” as a whole ends up being just ok.
On the other hand, “Pools” is JUST what I want to hear from Sløtface. This is the sort of focused, upbeat tune that works for them so well. Then, of course, we have all of the pool analogies here that are actually really well written. Yes, It’s a little one-dimensional, with all of these pool analogies making up the bulk of this one. However, I do think it’s all very well done. I love the sort of scratchy guitar solo, the explosive drums, and just how bombastic this one is. Like, if Sløtface really wants to make their mark in the Pop Punk scene, this is the sound to aim for. “Night Guilt” on the other hand, is a complete throwaway. This opening riff sounds like they’re totally ripping off something totally random like Refused. As far as Haley’s performance goes, I haven’t heard her this boring on the entire album. Even when she pumps up the volume on the chorus, it may be loud but it’s completely passionless. During the verses, she sounds like she’s about to fall asleep, so how am I supposed to stay awake? Then we have the instrumental, which literally seems like Sløtface is going for a damn Post-Hardcore instrumental. Between all of this “tension” that goes nowhere and the faux breakdowns that are just laughable, “Night Guilt” is a MESS. But Sløtface still has plenty of bizarre twists up their sleeves, because out of nowhere “Try” brings in some sunshine sounds of Pop Rock of the 80’s. Sløtface is a band having a severe image crisis. Now, I do like how Haley has put a whole lot more energy into this performance. But the songwriting by this point has completely flown out the window. Some of these one-liners aren’t entertaining in the slightest bit, and just make me cringe every time. These instrumentals are also trying so hard to be hip with their very punchy grooves, and not one of them goes over well. I do however enjoy the last 30 seconds or so when things get really chaotic. But what the hell happened to the rest of the track? Thankfully though, Sløtface have “Nancy Drew” to their name, which easily has the most teeth out of any track on this entire album. Here, Haley sounds legitimately filled with sass and sounds really rebellious for the entire track. Even lyrically, this is so much more interesting than what Sløtface have been bringing to the table in the last few tracks. Not to mention, some of the analogies with Nancy Drew are just really creative. Not to mention, instrumentally there are actually some seriously well thought out and intense moments here.
We’re not out of the woods with Sløtface yet, because next up is “Slumber”. As this one starts up, all I can think about is how messy this could be, since it’s so damn slow. And what do you know, I’m really not feeling any of these male vocals who just decided to show up now. This one is a duet, and it’s not nearly as sweet as Sløtface thinks it is. All of these pop culture references I feel like I’ve heard way too many times. Instrumentally though, I don’t mind this completely. As a matter of fact, this track is actually pretty decent at raising some tension. But as far as lyrics and vocals go, this one isn’t cutting it for me. I do have to say though, as ridiculously cheesy as some of those later vocals are, the group vocals do help a LOT and actually make the last 2 minutes more memorable. But why the hell in an album filled with 3-minute Punk tunes are we getting a 6-minute ballad about friendship? And even more confusingly, why did “It’s Coming To A Point” need to be it’s own standalone track? This album is a mess. But at the very least, on “Backyard” the band sounds more aggressive. But I have no idea why I feel like there is absolutely no connection on this one. In a weird way, I feel like on “Backyard” they’re covering a track and everybody has their own take on what it should sound like. It’s a bizarre finale, even though I do appreciate some of the passionate performances. This album overall is freakin’ weird man, Sløtface really need to take a step back and reevaluate.
Rating: 6.3/10
Give A Listen To: “Galaxies”, “Pitted”, “Pools”, “Nancy Drew”
Genre: Pop Punk / Punk Rock
If You Dig This, Check Out: White Lung - “Sorry”, Sleater Kinney - “All Hands on The Bad One”
Overall Thoughts: Man, this album was such a major let down for me. I certainly get the hype of this band, and I do understand why a whole lot of people are vibing on these guys. But my God, structurally this album is a joke. Sløtface constantly bounces back and forth between being stuck in 90's Nostalgia mode and trying desperately to be the next big thing in Pop Punk. And neither one of those are done particularly well by Sløtface. There are certainly decent moments, and the band absolutely have personality, but overall I'm really not into this as much as I wanted to be.
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