“Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’ is the title track of Brighton-based electro-punk trio CLT DRP’s highly anticipated second album, sue 8 Sept via Venn Records – preorder here.
A clanging anthem for cognitive dissonance, inner conflict and overthinking, the track is driven by a drumbeat reminiscent of a beating heart. This is soon joined by Scott Reynolds’ signature layered, industrial guitar sounds, creating a rhythmic and feverish pulse throughout. This frantic and urgent energy echoes lyrics which traverse the turmoil of trying to impress someone who makes you feel rejected.
Annie Dorret’s vocals vary from nonchalant to shouts of frustration as she explores the gradual uncovering of people’s hidden selves in relationships, and finds herself not to be what others might have expected, for example “you fetishise the man in me, and then leave when you find out, He’s not really there”. This is balanced with self-conscious reflection about self improvement (“I’m learning to manage my distractions”), and the feeling of yo-yoing between being enough for yourself amidst rejection.
The pent-up emotion which builds throughout the song is released in bursts of surprisingly dancey guitar, more reminiscent of the 80s than their previous album, which emulates the urge to go out and dance away your post-break-up angst.
A break-up banger, this song satisfies your need to yell at your ex while vindicating yourself for being exactly who you want to be.
