Here are three new homegrown albums from musicians around China on our radar this month.
1. Before the Applause by Re-TROS
Ever since they moved from Nanjing to Beijing in the early 2000s, Re-TROS have been one of the leading post-punk bands working out of the Beijing underground. Before the Applause is their first album in eight years, and reveals a completely different sensibility. Less punk and much more electronic, many of the tracks have a techno-inflected sound that would be as at-home in a nightclub as they would at a live show. Frontman and guitarist Hua Dong told That’s in an April 2017 interview about the then-upcoming album that the band was debuting a “remodeled” sound, and that their biggest influence toward the change had been listening to NYC art rock band Battles, who inspired them to start using loops. This influence is apparent in the vocals and some of the composition, but actually the band has managed a truly unique collection of sounds throughout the album. ‘Red Rum Aviv’ retains a bit more of Re-TROS’ punk past while still incorporating the new electronic sensibility, and the standout closing track ‘At Mosp Here’ is a freewheeling 12 minutes of techno-inflected krautrock.
2. Welcome to the Suck by Ugly Girls
A new band that has still only played out a few times, Ugly Girls has injected Shanghai’s music scene with a much-needed dose of riotgrrrl punk. Formed with several veteran musicians including former Shanghai music blogger Andy Best, Ugly Girls has already released a full-length album recorded at Yuyintang. Welcome to the Suck opens with a bang, displaying vocalist Casey Li Brander’s wry, deadpan delivery and appealing high-pitched rasp as she repeats the refrain: “You ain’t God, you’re just a fuck boss.” As with all the best riotgrrrl music, the punk melodies take a backseat to the lyrics, which are impeccable throughout: ‘Cellulite Riot’ is a cheeky feminist anthem, while ‘Potato Face’ is a truly inspired takedown of mediocre Western expats (“What’s it like to play the victim when your family once owned slaves?”), and ‘Butch Barbie’ is a surprisingly touching love song despite its crass delivery; we could go on. Shanghai needs more bands like this.
3. Hungry Crows by Spill Your Guts
Shanghai-based ‘black’n’roll’ hardcore band Spill Your Guts released their latest album and first LP last month. The band has come a long way in the last few years, and this first full-length effort reflects the fact that they’ve expanded their sound a bit beyond just full-throttle aggressive hardcore, with songs that explore more melodic genres like the slower, moodier melodies of black metal and some punk elements. Some of the more interesting tracks include ‘Praise the Fire,’ which opens in typical rumbling hardcore, but then slows down into a heavy metal-esque melody, and the closing song ‘Satan 3 (some),’ which has a catchy, nostalgic rock guitar riff punctuating the screaming vocals. A few witty track names (‘No Visas for the Wicked’) and a music video of disaster smash cuts that recently went viral also add to the appeal, and the album is likely even better performed live with vocalist Dima’s wild-eyed grin and onstage charisma.
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