After years of working relationships with record labels and industry producers, Du Blonde found herself able to finally express herself musically in a way that her previous situation would not allow. This fact permeates through the whole of her fourth album Sniff More Gritty out now via Daemon T.V., which oozes self-confidence, a clear sense of self and with no fear of acknowledging darker elements including anxiety. The freedom that came with her return to production and engineering opened up a new sonic world for Du Blonde. Indeed aside from live drums, played by Chris McManus, Sniff More Gritty is entirely performed, engineered and produced by Du Blonde, and also features collaborations with Skunk Anansie’s Skin, Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and The Futureheads’ Ross Millard.
The first track ‘Perfect’ begins calmly and quietly and with the most glorious vocal which leads the track. Just what is perfect and why should it be imposed on us? Such a thoughtful opening to Sniff More Gritty, whose edge grows as it continues. ‘Dollar Coffee’ follows, its guitar riffs upping the energy levels and there is a playfulness in the vocals which smacks of a self-assured artist who is enjoying her freedom. ‘Solitary Individual (feat. Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace)’ is one of the highlights of the album, a pop punk blast standing firm in her own choice to spend time along. Society and peer pressure can be overbearing but in the end, being true to yourself and knowing what you need to thrive is the most important thing. Du Blonde chooses to express this sentiment not in a melancholy way but in a bouncing bundle of exuberance.
‘TV Star’ is another highlight, a classy pop track which belts out its chorus. I imagine ‘TV Star’ is a live favourite. ‘Out of a Million’, ‘ICU’ and ‘Blame’ further demonstrate the quality and versatility of Du Blonde, not only in her vocals but in the instrumentation and pace of the songs. There is much introspection on Sniff More Gritty, but the variety throughout is thrilling.
‘Lucky’ takes the pace up, the guitars and drums creating an upbeat reflection on wasting time with those who bring nothing to our lives. ‘Yesterday’ with its Fleetwood Mac gloss, is a song Du Blonde regards as the most comedic song she has ever written. A self-deprecating ribbing of her tendency to fall rapidly in love with charismatic boys with zero substance, its cathartic silliness is typified by the slapstick thwack! While‘Next Big Thing (feat. Skunk Anansie’s Skin)’ is an uptempo expose of destructive relationships:“I don’t want to kneel for no man.”
‘Radio Jesus (feat. Maximo Park’s Paul Smith & The Futureheads’ Ross Millard)‘ finds the collaboration with Smith and Millard creating a more pensive track. The electric guitar rules here as Du Blonde shares a love song to the media platforms she loves.
‘Metal Detector’ closes out the album and the rough guitar start is a joy. Here Du Blonde looks outward, which feels a fitting place to end this album on. There is a feeling of control being taken back, with the narrative more pointed towards a.n.other. We don’t need to beat ourselves up all the time, and lyrically to close on “sorry I’ve been so damn bad” is emotive after what has gone before. Speaking ahead of the release, Du Blonde stated:
“I’m so excited to be releasing Sniff More Gritty into the world. It’s been fun expanding on the more theatrical side of songwriting, and having the freedom to make more left-field decisions with performance and production has resulted in one of my favourite albums I’ve ever made. It was a joy to make and I hope the listening experience will be just as fun for someone else out there.”
On Sniff More Gritty Du Blonde has thrown off the shackles. With a lack of constraints she has produced an album which is, I suspect, cathartic but is also thoroughly entertaining for us. The raw honestly and brutal home truths wrapped in an indie pop vibe, at times straying near to the edge, create an album full of gems.
For more information on Du Blonde please check facebook and instagram.
