Austrian three-piece grunge outfit GLUT have just dropped ‘RULES’, a scathing, self-proclaimed “fem-rebellion reckoning”. The song speaks to an exhaustion that many of us are all too familiar with. GLUT have made empowerment their mission, encouraging listeners to embrace imperfection and reclaiming space for other women, as well as themselves, across both their live shows and records.
The band’s influences include millennium rock, citing Paramore and Deftones, and elements of psychedelia, with this latest release marking the first on the band’s homebrewed label messybutnice.
The performances and production on ‘RULES’ are bewitching. With the bass mixed for prominence just above the fuzz-distorted guitar, a commanding foundation is established, contrasting with the rich, rounded vocal tone – this results in a captivating marriage of opposites where each component is mastered crisply, shining in its own right through the layers of the track. In the vocals, masterfully provocative drawls evoke the revival of Hole, while an enigmatic ascending choral melody draws listeners into the spiral of ‘RULES’ thematic material and refuses to stop driving forward – delivering inimitable power and energy.
“The song transforms the powerlessness of a moment into pure energy – a self-confident, loud rebellion against all those who ridicule you or don’t take you seriously.. an anthem for all those who can no longer be kept down”
The track’s lyrics and themes serve as a reminder of the way music reflects on our world, with the capacity to enforce real social change by informing and shaping women’s attitudes and manners of behaviour – a purpose that makes ‘RULES’ all the more formidable.
GLUT’s rhythm section loses control and unfolds in a whirlwind of raw, untempered skill across the track’s runtime, ending with emotive improvisatory variation – guitars stabbing at their own discretion, drums teasing halftime, and bass pushing the limits with its rhythmic timing. ‘RULES’ makes for a rousing track, continuing in the promise set by prior releases ‘SCREECH’ and ‘CIRCLES’, and keeps interest in GLUT high – I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Catch them at Arena Beisl, Vienna on the 20th of March; Rhiz, Vienna on the 4th of April; Noppen Air Music Festival on the 25th of April; and “Shock” at b72, Vienna on the 14th of November.
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