Photo Credit: Leah Solomons
Having only come across the music of Sløtface a few weeks ago, a quick online search had me wondering why I didn’t know about them until now, considering they formed way back in 2012 in Stavanger, Norway.
Sløtface‘s previous album, 2020’s Sorry For The Late Reply was released just before the COVID pandemic, stopping any tour plans they may have had, and it was during this period that guitarist Tor-Arne Vikingstad and bass player Lasse Lokøy left the band, leaving frontwoman Haley Shea wondering if there was even a future for the band.
Fast forward to 2024 and the pop-punk band are just about to release their third studio album Film Buff via Propeller Recordings. Following on from the aforementioned Sorry For The Late Reply and 2017’s Try Not To Freak Out, the album release lines up perfectly with their upcoming UK tour. Film Buff has drawn inspiration from the world of cinema and offers a collaboration between Shea and producer/songwriter Preben Sælid Andersen, known for his work with Hajk and Death by Unga Bunga.
Released as a single, album opener I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit gave us a sneak preview of what was to come. Some of the opening lyrics give you a flavour of the album: “Not easy being six foot tall, a leggy blonde/Dressed like wonder woman at her day job” Shea sings. The chorus is also very catchy and should go down well on the tour. This opening track is way too short at under two minutes but it’s still one of the best on Film Buff, the explosive guitars are a highlight.
Leading Man has a lovely, heavy bass opening which is quickly joined by Shea’s vocals. This song is a high-energy continuation from the previous, while Final Gørl is another of the album’s singles and seems to be grunge-inspired. We are enjoying the different styles of musicianship here from guitarists Tobias Osland and Simen Følstad Nilsen. Ladies Of The Fight is inspired by Fight Club, Selling Sunset and 30 Rocks. The song itself has a much rockier feel about it, beginning with a thrashing drum solo from Nils Jørgen Nilsen and some thought provoking and quirky lyrics from Shea: “I had never been punched in the face/Not by someone who meant it, even when I deserved it.” It’s definitely one of our picks of the LP. Next track Lift Heavy is one of those high bpm ones, which was one of the rules when recording the album: no songs below 160 bpm and no songs over the four minute mark according to Shea. Well, next song I Confess, I Guess starts off very slowly, before some nice guitar riffs takes it up a level or two and ends on a high. This one will go down well on the tour no doubt.
Charlie Calls is a great mix of guitars and thumping basslines, while Tired Old Dog is another early release and has to be the standout on the eleven track record. There are a few melodic moments of keyboards adding to the attraction of the song, alongside more powerful lyrics from Shea. The Great Escape is one of the heaviest track on the album with some great drum playing almost reminding us of classic Queen song We Will Rock You. The production on the album is superb and it will be interesting to see how the live shows deviate from the studio versions of the songs. Following on from the last track, Quiet On Set gets off to a thunderous start. These guys are ripping it apart on the strings here, giving out a very grungy feel around the song. The vocals are also very heavy, with Shea using her full vocal range and making it almost sound like a metal track. Album closer Impression Of A Car Crash begins acoustically, building into one final explosion of rock to treat our ears one last time. It’s a great end to the album.
Sløtface play ten UK dates on their tour, which begins this week, before they head home to Norway for a couple of homeland shows.
8/10
Standout Tracks: I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit, Ladies Of The Fight, Tired Old Dog
For Fans Of: Dream Wife, YONAKA, Nova Twins
Written by: Alan Brown
