Problem Patterns - Blouse Club (Alcopop! 
Records)
Release Date: Out Now
Ah the buzz. There's a special buzz around new bands sometimes that reaches you before the music does and that's the case for me with Belfast quartet Problem Patterns. The four shouty queers (their words, not mine) are announcing themselves to the world with their debut album 'Blouse Club' and it is quite something, quite something indeed.
The album begins with 'Y.A.W.', a blistering attack on the senses which soon emerges in to a bass driven thrum of anger with a twist of spite and a razor sharp wit - we are up and very much running. 'Big Shouty' does what it says on the tin with furious vocals taking on the punky noise created by the rest of the band before 'Advertising Services' goes down a more punk'n'roll route with chunky chords underpinning semi-spoken vocals with devastating impact. On 'A History of Bad Men Part II', the Northern Irish band explore their heavier side a la their peers south of the border, M(h)aol but on 'Lesbo 3000' the furious (in every sense) punk energy is back to hold you to account and pin you up against the wall.
There's a relatively calm indie jangle to 'Pity Bra' which reminds me of Kenickie but with the heavily accented spoken word verses giving this a more gritty, almost documentary vibe. 'Who Do We Not Save' is a straight up blood and snotter of a punk song before 'Poverty Tourist' takes a more rhythmic and mechanical approach to displaying rage. 'Letter of Resignation' starts like a slightly too aware nursery rhyme before settling in to a 100mph pop-punk pace that sounds like a mix of Lush, Cherym and Midget.
That brilliantly grinding bass is back on 'Picture of Health', making sure that the frantic drums and guitar have something solid to hang on to before the direct attack of 'TERFs Out' tackles those who wish to divide rather than include. The album comes to a breathless and sweaty climax on 'Domestic Bliss' which heaves and lurches over the finish line with all the energy of an exhausted but still angry fighter heading for their corner. Problem Patterns didn't come for fame or product placement, they came to tell you why they're pissed off and what can be done about it so listen up, listen good and join the revolution.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/probpatterns
Live Dates:
08.12.23 - Glasgow, Warehouse SWG3 w/the Spook School
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