Canadian math-rock riot grrrl punks Penny & the Pits (brainchild of Motherhood’s Penelope Stevens), has channelled the power of water and blood on their debut album, Liquid Compactor.
When I was writing these songs, I imagined my closest femme & queer friends right up front, singing along. If I couldn’t picture them rocking out, then I would set the idea aside. With this album, I’m trying to manifest the heaviness, the intensity and the joy of our lived experiences.”
– Penelope Stevens
Packed with guitar that absolutely eats, airy vocals, and mesmerizing beat work, ‘Montenegro On Ice’ is a stinging slice of the isolating zap that is disconnection. Swimming laps on thought loops and wishful thinking, this track lashes out the battle for those of us familiar with dwelling too long. Fatalistic and gripping, this song helps clean out the wounds.
Haunting surf-rock melodies and blood chants, ‘Thick Black Gloves’ drips in punk feminism. As period blood becomes the catalyst of awakening rage, guitar chords warp and stretch with intensity. A rallying cry and an evocation of our natural powers, this track is celebratory amongst the screams.
‘Sweat’ begins with a garage-band-esque opening followed by plucky surf-washed guitar strings. If the last track awakened rage, this song unleashes its full actualization as it mocks the blindness and complicity of the patriarchy in making others, systematically, unsafe. As a threatening account unfolds of a brooding watcher in the night, femmes will easily recall many an evening walk. ‘Sweat’ plants a mirror in the face of these oppressors and dares them to try to look away.
‘Self Defense’ opens softly with waves hitting the shore as acoustic strums lull you into this hazy feeling of disillusionment. After spying the hidden core of a person and the biting torment of their downfall, the guitar swells enough to engulf you entirely. Laid bare and crestfallen, this song has a painful and healing edge.
Coming in at number 7, ‘Eutychus’ spinning vocals cast a churning feeling across the track. Harkening back to the tale of Eutychus’s deathly tumble from a window after falling asleep during a boring speech, this song captures that in-between time before his soul was saved. Calling upon ideas of being a saviour, who is worth saving, and do they even want to be saved, ‘Eutychus’ isn’t afraid to send that gift right back to the sender.
In poetics and rhythm alike, Penny & the Pits have smashed Liquid Compactor. In content and execution, the entirety of their debut is a delicate and demanding fusion that they seem to pull off with ease. A tidal wave that will wash over you, knock you down, and you’ll be grateful.
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