Hynotic Progression: Girls Names – The New Life

Progression is an oft-cited word when discussing the career of a band.  There is a fear of complacency, of standing still instead of pushing the boundaries.

A D.I.Y. aesthetic has somewhat died when it comes to the music industry.  In the past bands like The Minutemen had the ‘D.I.Y. or die’ attitude to their art.  Girls Names have adopted this mindset.  While most bands are happy to rest on their laurels, Girls Names are eager to create and release material as and when it is feasible, releasing EP's and singles when the opportunity arises.

Following on from their 2011 debut album, the writing and recording of The New Life has been a quick turnaround.  The album title speaks volumes about Girls Name’s philosophy.  First album Dead To Me is exactly that to the Belfast band as they move on to the next chapter in their life as a band in what has been a whirlwind 2 years.

Lead Singer and song-writer Cathal Cully believes this album to be substantially better than the first.  He sees it as one complete work of art, from idea to execution.  The sleeve, the lyrics and the music all meld together as one. The sparsity of their first album has been replaced by more depth this time round, with layers of guitar and synth added to the mix.

Instrumental opening Portrait allows synths to build before blending seamlessly into Pittura Infamante.  The album maintains continuity with Cathal’s ghostly lyrics and reverberating vocals being the one constant throughout.

Hypnotic Regression bounces along and is the most jovial sounding song, but with lyrics like.. “My last will and testament/But don’t nail me to your cross/Hypnotic Regression of lives that were lost,” you never escape the darkness that consumes this album. 

The second half of the album starts off with Second Skin, what sounds like a drum machine sets the tone; guitars are added which makes it sound like The Cure for an instant, only for the song to mutate into something else entirely, with changes in tempo brought about by reverberating guitar towards the end.

On album closer Projektion there are intermittent soaring guitars, and screeching feedback over a steady beat in what feels like a release of pressure at the end of the album.  It gives the listener pause for reflection, they are a band that keep you guessing, and at the end of this record you are left wondering what the future holds for this band.   I for one am excited about the prospect.


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By Garrett Hargan