I USED TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME ALONE
Indie Rock, Jangle-Pop.
Hardly Art.
Listening Format: CD
Chastity Belt are a quartet from Seattle, Washington, the home of Grunge, which is ever so slightly channeled in the aesthetics of their sound. This is their third full length album and what I believe is the boldest and most distinct record from the all girl band yet.
Chastity Belt on the surface have a lot of 90s throwback vibes that recall bands like Pavement, delivering slacker vibes with plenty of ragged, jangly guitars and a lo-fi, rough around the edges, scuzzy sound. There are many points where vocalist Julia Shapiro will drift out of key or go slightly flat, but in that magical naive way where it doesn't at all offend the ears, similar to bands like The Raincoats or The Vaselines. Whilst the album doesn't offer much in the way of variation, it does offer lots of heart, and the entire set of songs carries a lot of vibrance and momentum. Even though the production sound isn't particularly bright, the compositions and performances themselves are full of colour. The chiming guitars and hazy vocals in particular add such dreamy and pleasant feels.
From the rockin' opener 'Different Now', to the slowly strummed dirge on 'Used to Spend', the album thoroughly evokes an urgency, rawness and passion that shines the whole way through. Ultimate proof that great performances and heartfelt songs can make up for a lack of technical finesse. Recommended for fans of The Dum Dum Girls, Best Coast and Waxahatchee. 8/10.
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