Rising Belfast-born alt-grunge solo artist Tender Claws has just released Tear Him to Pieces, a debut that makes it clear Tess Corr is capable of blending dark alt-rock, grunge, industrial, post-punk and shoegaze textures into something distinctive and difficult to pin down. Tender Claws combines ethereal atmospheres with abrasive guitars and moves seamlessly between calmer passages and much more intense moments.
Her voice, ethereal yet never fragile, works as a counterpoint to that instrumental density, with echoes of PJ Harvey and Shirley Manson, particularly in the power and attitude of her delivery. The title track sums up that blend well: dense yet defined guitars, an almost ritualistic cadence and bursts of grunge that give extra weight to a melodic chorus. Shoegaze comes through mostly in the atmosphere, with traces of Chelsea Wolfe and Curve.
From there, the EP moves through different territories while always retaining a dark undertone. The bass often takes centre stage, the drums shift between looser rhythms and more rigid, almost mechanical patterns, and the guitars provide both riffs and atmosphere. Echoes of The Mysterines, Nine Inch Nails, Garbage and PJ Harvey can all be heard, but what stands out is the way Tender Claws combines that intensity with a dark and, at times, gothic mood.
“This EP explores the idea of corrupted and lost innocence, and tainted idealism, in various guises.” (Tess Corr).
Much of the EP’s character also lies in its lyrics, which revolve around desire, loss of control, vulnerability and disillusionment, with characters discovering that what they had idealised was not as safe or certain as it seemed. Opening track “Tear Him to Pieces” reimagines the myth of Daphne and Apollo from a less passive perspective, while avoiding any kind of triumphant ending: Daphne escapes by transforming into a laurel tree, but remains trapped beneath her own bark. “Twinge” focuses on a break-up and the way anxiety takes hold of both body and mind. “Spring Time Cull” adopts the perspective of a she-wolf warning her cub about human violence and features some of the EP’s finest writing, with vivid and particularly raw images such as “six black death bags in the shapes of us”. “Ersatz Life” shifts the focus to digital dependency and the constant need for stimulation, while “A Promised Kiss” closes the EP with a more intimate story about desire, obsession and a relationship that remains caught somewhere in between.
Tear Him to Pieces leaves the impression of an artist who already has a clear idea of her sound while still leaving room to try different things. Across just five tracks, Tender Claws brings together grunge, industrial, post-punk and shoegaze without losing sight of the songs themselves, and leaves you curious to hear how far she can take this mix of sounds and ideas.
Upcoming Live Dates
15/08: Frogfest, Liverpool
25/08: Grand Central, Manchester
06/11: Supporting Venus Grrrls, O2 Academy in Liverpool
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