Earbuds in, press play: the unforgiving drums mirror a beating heart and a banging head. This is “Bag Fumbler,” the lead track off Flower Kitty’s self-titled debut EP. The music transports listeners back in time to a 1990s garage show, watching the next band that might make it big. The lyrics poke jabs at the bag fumbler in question (Fridge always empty except for beer / ‘Cause you numb yourself out of fear), and powerful vocals drive each jab deeper. Looking for female rage? It’s right here, with amplifiers turned up.
“Rabid” begins more gently, pulling listeners in with a sweet melody. But the vigorous chorus and repetition of the lyrics I don’t chase / I attack serve as a reminder of who Flower Kitty is. And they don’t have to chase. The four members hone in on their target and pounce, successfully blending the nostalgic sounds of ‘90s grunge with a modern punk attitude. (Disclosure: drummer Hannah Maier is a WXXI employee.) Melodic guitar drives their point home, grabbing listeners with its teeth and shaking them around until they’re dancing of their own volition.
“Unreliable American Narrator” opens with all the dissonant rage, patiently kept in restraint, gearing up for an absolute banger of a final track. Guitar tugs on heart strings, encouraging hands to rise up and dance above heads. Shocks of distorted vocals keep listeners grounded, and the track finishes out with satisfaction, whole.
Flower Kitty turns its audience into believers with this powerful debut. The femme grunge quartet is here to show fans how to rock out and what it means to be punk. Feeling invigorated after the first couple of listens and need to shake it out? Flower Kitty will perform with Weakened Friends during its “Feels Like Hell” tour on October 17 at The Bug Jar.
Leah Joy is a contributor to CITY.
