RECOMMENDED LISTENING FROM 2023 (Volume 10)

The tenth and final instalment of this occasional feature, in which I’ve tried to draw your attention to some albums that have been purchased in 2023 and which I reckon are worth highlighting.

Dream Wife‘s third album, Social Lubrication, landed in June, some three years after the previous release, So When You Gonna had taken the trio into the UK Top 20.   I’m guessing hopes were quite high for this one, but it barely dented the chart, spending a solitary week at #73 before disappearing.

I wrote a guest post a few months ago over at No Badger Required in which I referenced a few all-female bands, and said this about Dream Wife:-

“A London-based trio whose frantically fabulous mix of punk, indie, and pop has been captured on three studio albums. They make a magnificent racket in the live setting with a refreshing and welcome on-stage approach in which they are quick to call out any boorish behaviour from males in the audience, while also insisting that space down the front in the mosh-pit be reserved for ‘bad bitches’ (to which all genders are welcome to be part of).

“Dream Wife are a smart and very sassy group. They make music which is vibrant and energetic, but are more than capable of slowing things down to get their viewpoints across in ways that very much appeal to a modern audience, whose awareness of social and political issues is refreshing and welcome. My one concern is that the new album hasn’t sold as well as the last one, which makes me wonder if they are part of that cycle that’s always been with us, where a band bursts onto the scene, gathers itself a large fan-base, often of folk who are at school/college/university, but whose changing priorities as they move on in life means the music becomes less important. I hope not, and that their appearances at festivals over the summer and their own headlining tour later in the year reignites a well-deserved interest.”

Social Lubrication was on the end of loads of praise from the critics:-

‘a righteous mix of pleasure, anarchy and empowerment’ (The Line Of Best Fit)

‘a record that’s both a progression, and that shows off wonderfully just what made them so exciting to begin with’ (DIY Mag)

‘a stunner of an album – anthemic, coarse and confrontational at times, but sensitive, curious and passionate at others’ (Riot Mag)

‘a thrillingly intoxicating album. It’s spine-tingling in its themes and presented wrapped in dirty riffs and choruses built for dancing together in shared spaces’ (God Is In The TV)

‘Another blistering, brilliant missive from one of rock’s most fearless bands, on ‘Social Lubrication’, Dream Wife prove two things. Firstly, social commentary and exorcising your fury at the world don’t have to be joyless, and secondly, they’re still one of the most vital acts we’ve got right now’ (NME)

‘Nevermind lighting up the UK’s the alternative scene, Dream Wife have shown here that they’ve got everything it takes to gatecrash the mainstream. Now wouldn’t that be a dream?’ (Louder)

‘an exhilarating listen crackling with energy, made for yelling along to with both glee and rage’ (Stereoboard)

I, of course, agree with all of the above…and have picked out the quotes so as not to be accused of plagarism!!

The track selected as the advance single is the most angry on the entire record.  It was chosen despite knowing it had no chance of being broadcast on regular radio stations.

The next track that was made available was a bit more tongue-in-cheek and great fun.

Not all ten tracks proved to be as riotous and noisy as the two songs released in advance, and indeed there’s few really danceable indie-pop numbers:-

mp3: Dream Wife – Kick In The Teeth

It’ll be very interesting to see what happens next.   I do hope there’s a fourth album and more shows in the offing.

Just to finish off today with a note that I’m heading off on holiday this coming Sunday for a couple of weeks.   The usual Saturday and Sunday things will still be appearing, but otherwise I’m going to be putting up daily one-hour mixes that I’ve curated to take away with me to listen to while sunbathing. Some of these will be brand new, while others will be retreads of mixes that haven’t been available to download for many years.

Things will get back to normal in early December.

Very late PS..……

an 11th album for recommendation landed in Villain Towers just a couple of weeks back.  It was given a tremendous review by the incredibly talented Craig McAllister over at Plain or Pan?, and he has kindly allowed me to repost said review on TVV.  It’ll be up later on today as a bonus post.

JC