After capturing attention with its lead single in September, Irish bubblegrunge five-piece Other Mother has unleashed their debut EP Can’t Help But Feel Dramatic upon the world.
Boasting a total of five tracks – including ‘anymore’ (check out Loud Women’s review) – the EP centres around the Cork band’s distinctive synth-riddled alternative rock sound and subject matters of mental health and the human condition. Bandmates Willow Esteve (vocals), Bláthnaid Marsh (keys), Fionn Cogan (guitar), Cathal O’Sullivan (bass) and Conor O’Regan (drums) each bring something unique to the table; with a wealth of experience across a spectrum of genres, these influences naturally find their way into the arrangements. The result of this collaborative effort is a record that is exceptionally versatile when broken down track-by-track, yet as a whole is just unmistakably Other Mother.
“Fionn and I usually do the start of the song writing together in our apartment with Bláthnaid. I usually struggle with bringing the songs I write to life due to my lack of instrument skills, but Fionn is very good at understanding the sound I want to achieve while putting his spin on it. It makes it easier when we meet up with the full band because we have an idea to bounce off. The parts that Bláthnaid, Cathal and Conor add make everything click into place and go in directions we wouldn’t have expected but add so much depth to the music.”
Willow Esteve on the band’s writing process.
Photo by Aleksandra Savchenko.
Other Mother’s forte lies in storytelling through song, utilising music and lyrics in a way that immerses the listener as each instrument takes on its own narration. What’s more is how impactful the EP’s sequencing is to the listening experience; when played through start-to-finish, Can’t Help But Feel Dramatic could be interpreted as an artistic depiction of the five stages of grief. Nuances in genre throughout help illustrate the mindset portrayed in each track, showcasing the band’s versatility as they introduce elements of grunge, shoegaze and blues.
Other Mother have introduced themselves to the scene by proving right off the bat that they have undeniable range. This EP has something for everyone, and is particularly ideal if your rotation includes bands like Wolf Alice, Blonde Redhead, My Bloody Valentine, The Pretty Reckless and Honeyglaze. Closing track ‘worm song’ is a personal highlight, serving as the perfect epilogue to the story being told in Can’t Help But Feel Dramatic as the band’s journey through the expanses of the human psyche comes to a conclusion – and what better way to do that than with some headbanging, dance-worthy feminine rage.
The debut EP Can’t Help But Feel Dramatic by Other Mother is available to stream now!
Upcoming shows:
16 October – Fred Zeppelins, Cork City
30 October – Swarmfest @ Savoy, Cork City
30 October – Wavelength, Cork City
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