‘Empire Records’ is the new release from Norwegian punk rock four-piece Sløtface – and it shows their creativity flourishing. Littered with nostalgic pop-culture references from ’90s flick Empire Records to Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, the EP acts as a vivacious ode to record shops and celebrates music as a form of escapism and relief. Embracing their identity as a feminist band and love for riot grrrl, Sløtface combine fierce punk rock with foot-tapping pop energy to create an EP full of surprises.
Catchy opening track ‘Bright Lights’ feels like an escape from the difficult things in life. The infectious hooks are bursting at the seams with relief – it’s refreshingly cathartic to listen to. Instead of letting challenging things consume you, Sløtface are dragging you away from the dark confinement of your own mind and into the bright lights of alleviation.
Sløtface are adept at churning out catchy tracks with huge hooks that get stuck in your head. Title track and new single ‘Empire Records’ is one you’ll be mumbling the words to all day long. Paying homage to record shops through Tor-Arne Vikingstad’s catchy riffs and Halvard Skeie Wiencke’s drum work, the track reinforces the importance of record stores and reignites the dream for those who love music to spend their life working in one. Like a live wire, it’s surging with a wild energy that ignites sparks of nostalgia in your mind as it references “sonic death monkey” from ’90s cult film ‘High Fidelity’.
A liberating sense of having freedom from all constraints emanates from the infectious ‘Take Me Dancing’. Sløtface are adamant that they shouldn’t be taken any less seriously as feminists just because they have written a track about letting go, having fun and getting drunk. Haley Shea’s thriving vocals make this track one of the strongest: she’s telling you to be yourself and have a good time and regardless of gender, it’s okay to make mistakes. Reflecting back with “I bet we could have had more fun”, closing track ‘Fever Art’ brings the EP to an end with it’s slow paced musings.
Like a record shop, ‘Empire Records’ is undoubtedly an EP you can revisit repeatedly and get lost in, one full of hidden gems. You’ll find it difficult to sit still when listening to any of these four exuberant tracks – they’re brimming with youth, life and vigour. Sløtface are encouraging an apathetic generation to let go a little bit, embrace life and have some fun.
SUSANNAH BENNETT