A ‘musical punch to the face’ appears to be the most accurate description of Leeds-based post-punk quartet FEHM, with their latest release ‘Hand to Mouth’ being no exception. Overflowing with endlessly desperate lyrics and gritty guitar shrieks, the band create a theatrical yet entirely real danger (think Alice Cooper’s on-stage guillotine vs Johnny Rotten), making it an ideal track to listen to whilst releasing your inner anarchist.
Fuelled by a snarling bassline, the cries of frontman Paul Riddle work with the ebbing synths to produce a wall of seemingly unstoppable sound, making the track completely relentless. Though raw and rugged, there is an undeniable maturity expressed throughout the track’s duration, conjuring forth a likeness to The Horrors’ in their Strange House period, and making the band a force to be reckoned with.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/195054032″]
FEHM’s upcoming debut EP Animal Skin is set for release on 11th April, and features songs focused on “desperation, unemployment, anxiety and the urban decay of 21st century Britain”. Of course, there’s no way you can listen to this type of angst quietly, so turn up your speakers and prepare for noise complaints, because FEHM have hit the ground running and they’re here to stay.
Words by Georgie King
@whosGeorgie