Other Half - Big Twenty
These are strange times that we live in. A hardcore punk band is fawned over by the music press, broadsheets and radio stations and scores a number 1 album. Yet there are dozens of bands in a superficially similar vein that aren’t in the spotlight but are making music with more eloquence, style and originality.
Take one of the best of those bands, Norwich’s Other Half. With Cal’s intense guitar, Alfie’s flailing drums, Sophie’s driving bass, the interplay between Cal and Sophie and 14 very strong songs, debut album Big Twenty is an instant classic of caustic post-hardcore. For the thundering White Worm, Cal vents anguished howls whilst Sophie lets out throat shredding tormented shrieks. On Tiny Head and Heads Go Soft those interactions are more reminiscent of classic Vaselines or a more energised, melodic take on Sonic Youth. The music isn’t all high velocity and the there’s more to the vocals too. A disturbing tale of loneliness and isolation, Sticks At The Sides is almost spoken word over Slint-meets-Mogwai post-rock.
This is an invigorating dose of cathartic DIY angst that deserves a big audience. As Other Half say, this is nasty music for nice people and buying this will make you a better person.
