Pet Crow, from Derby, have a captivating sound full of groovy melodies, introduced nicely by their debut album A Small and Medium Guide to Pond Life. The record paid homage to The Slits, new-wave and Britpop, bolstered by their own helping of anger and upset. The band followed this up with a single, ‘How Are You Wired?’, boasting infectious riffs and a massive chorus, and in February, they self-released their second album Take the Edge Off.
The band consists of Danielle Ross (vocals), Sean Kenny (guitar), Sophie Prosay (bass), Connor Wallis (bass), and Dan Barradell (drums). Take the Edge Off makes space for the group to explore their inner demons. But you wouldn’t think it.
‘Limbo’’s creative basslines and punky guitars bring together an infectious listen that make you want to dance and bounce around. Lyrically it’s about not being able to relax, a feeling that carries onto the next track.
‘Insomnia’ is relentless and very fast, reflecting the unstable anxiety of the lyrics: “I can’t sleep in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, in the night-time.”
‘What We’re Doin’ has one of the catchiest choruses the band has written: “We don’t know what we’re doing anymore / Who knows what they’re doing / Who’s keeping score?” It sounds like Pet Crow had a lot of fun recording it; just when you think the song is going to end, they bring a really dark, upbeat riff back in, which sums up how tight their musicianship is. ‘One Whole Summer’ is about releasing your inhibitions and letting yourself loose, and it’s an absolute joy to listen to.
Pet Crow also explore toxic relationships on both ‘Controlling’ and ‘Prick’. I love how you can feel the tense guitar in the former track during the lyrics: “Do I have a choice? / I have my own voice.” It’s clever how they play around with time signatures on this song. After the second chorus, the track switches from 4/4 into 6/8, then back into 4/4 for the final chorus — which keeps the listener on their toes for the next bar.
‘Prick’ is very summery and has dreamy chord changes. However, the lyrics tell a different story. It’s an autobiographical song about a family member who left during childhood, and the lyrics paint a harrowing picture: “I can’t believe we share the same blood / If I could change this now, believe me, I would.” This brings a chilling end to the album.
Take the Edge Off has some dark subject matter, but this is covered in a way that makes you feel happy and alive. Pet Crow have crafted one of the best records of the year. Their raw emotions are laid bare, and they’ve got a fresh sound that you can listen to over and over.
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos
This article was originally published as part of The Indiependent’s May 2020 charity magazine, which raised money for the British Lung Foundation. Find out more here.