Punk bands that are predominantly female based are few and far between these days and never really standout within the music ranks with what tends to be delivered. UME are a band that are taking influences from 90s garage punk bands such as Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins and twisting things up with a pretty edge.
‘Monuments’ is UME’s first full-length release over in the UK and is designed to “try and reimage heavy music.” Produced by Adam Kasper – the man behind records from Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters and many more, it’s easy to relate UME’s gritty, guitar heavy sound with those that have made the genre so popular over the years.
‘Black Stone’ opens the album with a fiery riff that leads on with a deep bass and a wailing vocal from front woman Lauren Larson. Lead single ‘Embrace’ picks up the pace, adding a poppier edge to the distortion which overpowers a lot of the album. But it’s not until the fifth single, ‘Until the End’ where we start to hear a significant difference compared with the opening four tracks of the album, there’s more melody and something a little more enticing to listen to.
Midway through the album gets shaken up with a more folk approach to their grunge anthems that have previously filled up the record, ‘Revival’ and Barophobia’ offer a welcomed, mellow toned break with a echoing vocal flowing over the acoustic instruments that bind the tracks together. The album then gradually comes to a close with ‘Within My Bones’ and ‘Reason’, which add just a sprinkling of an uplifting spirit to the albums closure, piano melodies take stand over the guitars and ‘Reason’ has a hint of The Joy Formidable about it, making it slightly easier on the ear.
‘Monuments’ is a bit of a mixed bag, there are a handful of undeniably beefy, power rock anthems apparent, but these are surrounded by tracks that blend together in an undistinguishable haze. UME are a band that have gotten caught up somewhere between Queens of the Stone Age and Deep Valley, and are making a whirlwind of noise that appeals to those with an acquired taste for old school rock and roll. It’s no game changer and probably won’t be the record to distinguish them as the next greatest thing. But for those that enjoy their lipstick smeared and all things noisy, ‘Monuments’ will be one to add to your record collection.
TAMSYN WILCE