Out today, NYC duo Basic Bitches‘s new album It Doesn’t Matter If It’s Cool is a fiery attitude-induced collection of songs that functions as a motivational kick.

Basic Bitches is formed of Naomi Scott and Krystal Grow who are familiar faces in NYC’s Riot Grrrl and DIY scene and this type of philosophy is embedded in their approach to music.

It Doesn’t Matter If It’s Cool follows the 2021 album Go To The Movies but with added punch and catchiness. 

Driven by DIY mentality, energetic guitar and crashing drums, the music of Basic Bitches has a relatability that pushes us to take authority and not let anyone get in our way.

In ‘Make Art,’ for example, we’re encouraged to be creative and express ourselves regardless of the result. After all:

‘It doesn’t matter if it’s cool / It doesn’t matter if you fail on your first try / It doesn’t have to make a dime / It only has to make you smile’

they affirm, the words bouncing assertively along.

This is followed by ‘Not Doing Wrong Is The Same As Doing Right,’ a chant that orders us think more positively in order to achieve our goals.

In ‘Business As Usual,’ we’re drawn into a familiar scene of being unsatisfied with our life, job, and the people around us. Instead of wading though it all, we’re persuaded to ditch the negativity and follow what makes us happy:

‘And we’re not doing that any more / No we’re not doing that / This isn’t business as usual / Let’s all do something we choose to do.’

‘Lesbian Space Drama’ is fuelled by anger and a darker sonic vibe but the lyrics are coated in a hint of a humour.

‘Cramps’ bluntly exemplifies the inconveniences of being a women, remarks such as:

‘I hate it / I said it / You’re never gonna get it / And I don’t want you to sympathize’

released with a staccato punk groove, and closing track ‘House of Basic Bitches’ is another scream-along chant which this time is mixed with playfulness and self-expression.

Alongside the different groups of people and things, houses of shameless lovers, misbehavior, friendly witches, dirty dishes, we’re reminded of the frustratingly complicated relationships that can exist with our bodies. As Scott sings in typical riot grrrr fashion:

‘My body was my own / My body, a warzone / My body up for debate / A battleground state’

It Doesn’t Matter If It’s Cool isn’t an album to listen to when in need of calmness and dreaminess. Instead, it’s made for jumping around and letting out your inner angst with playfulness.

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