My introduction to Kate’s Party came years ago on recommendation of a friend from Dublin, who has since often photographed the band at their gigs (a wink and nod to Yan Bourke).
I definitely enjoyed them at the time, but my focus on pop punk in general was a bit loose. I never felt any particular connection to the genre when I was younger, as a lot of it was dominated by bands whining about girls and how terrible they are. To their friends. And they need to leave this town. And so on.
It’s only been the last few years and hearing the genre through the perspective of other women (not to sound too biased…) for me to begin to appreciate it. I don’t mean to sound snobby. I didn’t necessarily like everything those boys sang about, but it was catchy and fun. Still, as an adult, I’ll never relate to any of it.
Hearing more and more female fronted pop punk bands however, gave me a new lease on the matter. There has been a spectacular surge over the past few years that has seen the genre become a haven for all varieties of people.
It especially helped living in London and seeing an influx of new acts over the years, as it’s a sound best heard live. Pop punk would be nothing without its audience singalongs.
With being re-introduced to all of it, I spent more time listening to bands like Kate’s Party and finally, truly, getting it.
Their newest EP, My Other Girlfriend, is my favourite work of theirs to date. It’s a mere three songs long but works as a great refresher as the band move forward.
“Crumbs”, the opening track, eases in with echoes of their debut album, last year’s Hollow. However, as the song carries on, it appears to be more about growing than holding on to what’s in the past. Which is a pretty fitting bridge between the two releases.
The second offering, “Strong Words”, is quite true to the classic pop punk structure, without being formulaic. The EP as a whole shows a great growth in the band. It’s still the Kate’s Party sound they’ve become known for, but more mature, and in that sense, more powerful.
Hollow, beneath its upbeat tempos held quite sad undertones throughout. My Other Girlfriend is much more optimistic. It is especially heard through the positive outlook lyrics in “Chrysalis”, which is the best Sarah’s vocals have sounded yet.
My Other Girlfriend is available on download and cassette.
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