MARTHA MAY & THE MONDAYS RALLY FOR JUSTICE WITH SNARLING ALT-PUNK COMMENTARY ‘SINK DOGS’
SINGLE REVIEW | MARTHA MAY & THE MONDAYS – SINK DOGS by Michaela Roper
Out from the smoke, strobes and shadows of a recent galavant into Glam Rock territory comes a snarling, punk-infused, poetic outcry laced with irresistible swagger and strong sense of self.
On the surface, it’s nothing to fear, it’s simply Martha May & The Mondays’ ferocious new release, ‘SINK DOGS’ – but deeper down, it’s a track bearing a hefty political bite and a reeling soundscape powerful enough to throw you across the room.
The five-piece alt-rock outfit know their way around the sharpness of layered industrial-sounding guitar riffs by now. With an array of accolades beginning to decorate their dusty trophy cabinet, including winning in the Best Rock/Alternative category at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards last year, Martha May & The Mondays are barking up all the right trees with this avalanche of a track.
‘SINK DOGS’ reels you in with a grimy rhythm intertwined with a touch of orchestral influence almost reminiscent of the likes of Black Midi and Black Country, New Road. The bending vocals come in immediately with a crashing drum beat, just walking the line between endearing and aggressive before exploding into a polished squeal of sound directed right into the faces of the corporate elite. It’s witty, sharp, and unequivocally fearless in attitude, noise, and protest.
Martha May’s commanding vocal work leaves no room for doubt as it carves its way in and out of screeching guitars to present an almost cathartic, argumentative mission statement, tackling the socially complicit and shaming the political enablers of the modern age. The punk provocateurs draw you in to this collective condemning of corruption in an aptly-named statement against the sink dogs themselves. There’s a sense of familiarity in the gritty, anthemic vocals here, akin to Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice’s heavier tracks, but ‘SINK DOGS’ exists in its own realm. It’s punchy, serious, and reeling with directed disgust, whilst also building a home-away-from-home of sorts for those who identify as outcasts; a rallying for power through aggressive soundscapes and raw emotion.
The Scottish ensemble aren’t afraid to sneak in elements of the weird and eerie either. With a whispering lyrical attenuation, a dynamic throbbing beat mid-way through, and soaring atmospheric tones courtesy of Charlie on guitar, the band crafts a sense of genre-bending unholiness perfectly fit for the track’s subject matter.
Martha May & The Mondays are promising nothing but the truth with ‘SINK DOGS’. This release is pure in its intention, ruthless in its execution, and bleeds with the affirmation that this punk-riddled outfit is destined to go far. The band don’t fear confrontation – they thrive upon it. Their instrumental sharpness and well-polished vocal work create a sense of effortless rebellion in the reach for truth and justice, amongst the layered soundscape of a track which should be blasted across the world.
SINK DOGS is OUT NOW
Martha May & The Mondays will play a sold out show at Glasgow’s SWG3 on Saturday 7th March!
