BLAB, also known as Fran Murray, has some serious Essex girl attitude. 'Casual Sex' is her latest release and it came jumping out at me during a recent trawl through one of the many new music playlists I've been discovering.
The song is a lovely little 3-minute package of 'DIY punk' (her description). As well as telling a concise story and throwing in the kind of local references which make music like this so enjoyable, the band get the build just right, guitar, drums, bass and vocals all contributing to the sense of mounting pressure.
The track starts with a whining guitar sketching out the song's main melody, before allowing Fran in to deliver her acerbic lines casually, but with punch. Then she steps back to allow the guitars to crunch out heavier riffs, before slamming into what may have been a chorus but remains un-sung. Back to another verse before blasting through to a properly rock ending.
The song is rebellious but catchy and hugely listenable - it's well structured, telling a relatable story. This is definitely one of those song that sounds great the first time, and only gets better with every play. And you'll want to play it again, and again. It's all really satisfying and I really need to hear this live.
This record lives up to the 'lo-fi punk' legacy but with just a bit of 2020s digital polish.
My first thought was to describe BLAB as Essex's answer to Courtney Barnett, but that would be patronising and unnecessary. She's clearly a force in her own right. Keep it up girl.