From the first note to the final note in Perfect Pussy’s 23-minute debut, Say Yes To Love, the band never slows down. Fuzzed out, shouted lyrics paired with guitar static and manic drumming create a sound that’s explosive.
While most of the songs on the album are short, with only three of the eight tracks extending over three minutes, the music is so jam-packed it has the feel of a longer album. The fast-paced, hard-nosed punk rock will make listeners feel like they just sprinted a marathon as the album ends.
Meredith Graves’ vocals are often drowned in the chaos of the music around her. However, the tales of love, self-loathing and raw emotion of Grave’s lyrics and delivery give the music a new depth.
The tone for the album is set from the very beginning with the one-two punch of “Driver” and “Bells.” These tracks never let up, one leading right into the next without giving the listener a break. “Interference Fits” is the band’s most refined song. The instruments also play in a less hectic style. While the static and fuzz from previous tracks still exist, clear guitar chords can be heard throughout.
The album seems to get off track before it comes to a close, however. The band’s most gritty, abrasive song “Advance Upon the Real” abruptly transitions to the sounds of a literal movie reel. The album never fully recovers from this awkward transition, with the final song just being a cacophony of static and vocals.
Despite the loss of direction, Say Yes To Love has the emotional harshness to match the intensity of the music, creating a captivating album.
