Imagine my surprise when an Australian band came through my headphones and reminded me of some of my favorite New York hardcore bands. I’m a newbie to La Famiglia‘s music but I’m a believer now. After a two-year hiatus, while vocalist, Beth Seymour came out as trans, the band has released their new album. Alphabet Mafia, written and recorded by Seymour at her home studio in Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia and mastered by Jesse Cannon at Cannon Found Soundation pulls no punches, heavily exploring topics like transphobia, discrimination, misogyny, trauma, resilience, and queer solidarity.
‘Hath No Fury,’ the lead single plays on the phrase “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” instead claiming “hell hath no fury like a woman made and not born,” reclaiming that righteous anger from a trans-feminine perspective. This track leans heavily into the early West Coast hardcore punk sound, stripped of modern production for a gritty, old-school feel. Seymour’s vocals mirror the frustration and the passion of the lyrics with aggression and deliberate strain.
Standout tracks abound on this album, but ‘Spite’ is a personal favorite of mine. Musically, this track utilizes brief, rhythmic pauses and sharp drops in instrumentation, creating a jagged, mechanical groove that builds tension. The moments when the full band crashes back in feel even more impactful with this stop-start style. When I heard ‘Spite’ ‘s mid-tempo bounce I instantly thought of Madball, a personal favorite New York Hardcore (NYHC) band. The rhythm section dictating the track with a tight, locking groove between the bass and the drums give it a punchy weight, perfect for commanding a pit. ‘Spite’ was a contrast to other tracks on the album, proving the band can be just as heavy when they slow down and lean into a groove.
‘Cycles’ and ‘Why Do You Hate Me’ are both more melodic, catchy tracks. They’re full of infectious, driving rhythm and hooks that will, no doubt, get stuck in your head. The album wraps up by leading heavily into its raw, unfiltered punk energy. ‘Tuff Girl Hardcore’ flips the script on the hypermasculine tropes often associated with the hardcore scene. The track reclaims what it means to be tough, centering a different experience:
They used to give Me shit for being sensitive So I got tough, it was tough then Even tougher getting soft again
Ultimately, Alphabet Mafia is a fierce, vital addition to the hardcore punk landscape. It perfectly balances crushing musical weight with profound emotional vulnerability. I’m eager to see what La Famiglia does next.
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