MILK TEETH ASSERT THEIR DOMINANCE ONCE AGAIN WITH THEIR NEW SELF TITLED LP
British punk trio, Milk Teeth, just recently came out with their newest self-titled record on March 27th. The band has been touted as standing up for those without a voice and this newest record proves it with vocalist and bassist Becky Blomfield, guitarist Em Foster, and drummer Jack Kenny.
Admittedly, I wasn't very familiar with this band digging into them, but this record is full of bangers and does indeed have a very important overarching message. The opener of the record, “Given Up” reflects on an emotionally abusive relationship and being gaslit to the stars. You can hear Becky’s anguish and anger as she sings the opening lines,
“I'm only thinking about the times you tried to blame me. Kept saying that you were right, you can not look me in the eye.”
Opening the record with this sets the tone of the album immediately.
The sense that this is the most honest and exposed Milk Teeth’s intense lyricism has been is only furthered with the whole vibe of the album. The band tries to draw from their influences (The Pixies, Nirvana) and they very much do. They are easy to spot on the overall vibe of the album and the sound of the songs.
The third song on the album “Dilute,” starts with Becky Blomfield clearly addressing someone,
“There’s a lack of understanding, don’t try to tell me you know how I feel.”
This is another very powerful line because she’s, again, talking about someone invalidating what she’s feeling or saying, and we can all relate to that in one way or another. The overall theme of speaking for women or people who don’t have a voice in a bad relationship is shown again in this song with the repeating of the line,
“Don’t try to tell me you know how I feel.”
The next song, “Better”, feels slower because the distorted guitars and backing music doesn’t feel as urgent and in your face, but still keeps to the 90’s vibe seen throughout the record.
“Oh what a pity party they’ll roll out for us, a celebration of two people’s broken trust... but I deserve better if you can’t be better.”
The band really wears their heart on their sleeve with this album, and the song picks up right before the chorus and it doesn’t stop. There is not enough female empowered rock and Milk Teeth are here to change that with their latest record. I would very much say, mission accomplished. This song is a good reminder that you always deserve better.
This self-empowerment, and reminding of needing and demanding better, is a major thread through this record, and I am absolutely a fan of this band after hearing this record. In “Transparent”, The line-
“I won’t be your silly little girl to cut your claws on…”
-has sharp tones to a clearly horrible ex and bad relationship.
The second single off this record, “Destroyer” is the ultimate take down. Blast it loud in rebellion to an ex who walks around like a god. Becky Blomfield was quoted on saying she got her inspiration from this song from No Doubt, and from her own pain and the instability in her life. It is very much on display here.
“The name you've shed won't hide you. Your legs will snap like branches. Underfoot of every woman, hunting for their reckoning.”
Every line drips with anger, backed by the screaming of destroyer by guitarist Em Foster in the chorus.
If you want a 90’s inspired record to listen to that also is dripping with anger and finding your footing, this is very much the album for you.
MILK TEETH IS AVAILABLE NOW ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS AND ANYWHERE MUSIC IS SOLD.