Drahla - Useless Coordinates
What do you get if you mix Sonic Youth’s skronk with Killing Joke’s belligerent post-punk and a dash of No Wave dissonance? Now, that may be a question that has been asked rarely, if ever, but Wakefield/Leeds trio Drahla might just provide be the perfect answer.
Luciel Brown’s bass has hints of KJ’s Youth, whilst the her vocals are reminiscent of SY’s Kim Gordon, albeit with more melodic sensibility, and Lydia Lunch. The guitars of Rob Riggs combine Geordie’s melodic notes and savage riffing with the dissonance of Moore and Renaldo. Beneath it all, Mike Ainsley holds a driving, almost Krautrock beat.
If that was all there is to this, it would be great enough but here is more than that. There is some fiery, almost freeform sax wailing that brings to mind No Waver James Chance or the Stooges’ Steve Mackay. Add in choruses and melodies as strong as the best from late 80s/early 90s alt.rock - think Breeders, Throwing Muses - and this is one of the strongest albums I have heard this year.
All in all, an incredibly assured, fully-formed debut album that anyone who likes their rock alternative, inventive and avant-garde should check out, like, RIGHT NOW.
9/10
