EP REVIEW: Loose Articles - Chaos
Loose Articles are a 4 piece punk outfit from Manchester with plenty to say! The band released debut EP “Orchid Lounge” in 2019 which they followed with a few standalone singles during the pandemic one of which, “Kick Like a Girl” is included on latest release “Chaos” EP.
The band have been working hard this past festival season with appearances at Gold Sounds Festival, Stockton Calling, Beatherder, Dot-To-Dot, and TRUCK. They were cited to support Foo Fighters at Old Trafford before the show was cancelled due to the untimely and tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins.
They have received coverage from NME and have been championed by BBC’s Steve Lamaqu and X Radio’s John Kennedy. They have even appeared on Football Focus as amateur pundits and massive football fans!
It’s been a hectic time at camp Loose Articles and by the sounds of “Chaos” they’re only just getting started!
The EP kicks off with title track “Chaos” which starts with a fun wood block intro and some funky guitars before launching into upbeat, 80’s sounding vocals. The pace changes entirely and bursts into frantic, raw punk beaming with attitude before dipping back to its funky sound. The track follows this formula throughout until the vocals become spoken and the music descends into mayhem. The track ends on a buzz with a screechy riff and noticeably more angry, demeanor vocals. The track drills home how we’ll all drown before anyone opens their eyes and takes notice of the state society is in and the very real threat to existence.
Next up is “Eggshells” which leads with a piercing, buzzing riff. The vocals mix semi-spoken, cutesy and sweet with swaggery punk tones. There's a haunting melody at times before it rediscovers the earlier riff. I love the lyric “just because I don’t conform, don’t really fit the norm” - I can’t relate to this so much because I hate the idea of conformity and thrive to always stay true to myself! The track is super pretentious which I adore, I get a real buzz out of strong female vocalists. There’s nice pumping, playful drum beat and a bit of a dark grungy bassline. There's some nice, gothic-ish harmonies too.
“Dirty Dick's Food and Ale Emporium" has a super catchy, funky hook. As with the rest of the EP it features semi-spoken vocals before igniting into a chanty rawkus chorus of “dirty dick’s.” The track is super fun and playful with a plodding undertone.
In celebration of the bands love of the beautiful game "Chaos" EP closes with single "Kick Like a Girl" there's a pounding bassline and a fizzing riff. The lyrics talk about how girls can play sports and are just as good or better (as the England Women Team proved earlier in the year). The lyrics demands “now let's get back to the game” before a whistle sounds and it picks up the pace. The lyrics go on to state “you kick like a girl, down pints like a girl” furthering the notion that anything blokes can do girls can do too! It's a real girl power anthem for the modern age. There’s some nice jangly guitars too which we all know I love! “Kick Like a Girl” is catchy, frantic and chanty with “football” shouted at every opportunity. It’s definitely my favourite track on the EP.
In a nutshell Loose Articles mix attitude, swagger and an air of pretentiousness with dirty basslines, minimalist yet hissing riffs and varied vocal styles. “Chaos” is them making themselves heard as well as being the voice of women everywhere!
