Album Review: Dream Nails - "Dream Nails"

 

Signed to Alcopop Records, Dream Nails are quite possibly one of the most exciting new bands (well I say new, they've been going since 2015 but it's only just recently that they've been brought to my attention) out there. Self-proclaimed "feminist punk witches", think a 21st century X-Ray Spex or the early '90s riotgrrl movement with better tunes and you wouldn't be a million miles off.

When they scream "You are not your job! Work is not your life!" on Corporate Realness, you can't help but nod along in solidarity. However, this lot have a sense of humour to go along with the fierce polemic (something which a lot of groups just seem to forget) as evidenced on the tale of being ghosted that is Text Me Back. The ferocious polemics of Vagina Police and DIY show that this is a band who can definitely walk it like they talk it with the latter's call and response slogan of "Do it yourself!" being an anthem for all those who want to chase their dreams but doubt their own ability. Proper uplifting stuff.

If People Are Like Cities takes a more thoughtful approach to the formula reminiscent of some great missing link between Penetration and Helen Love, Swimming Pool is a pure Ramones style pop-punk blast with an underlying message about not being afraid of coming out with the repeated refrain of "It's gonna be okay" which shows they know their way around a catchy tune as well.

This Is The Summer takes an Undertones style anthem and adds a vital dose of political nous to it looking at the world going to hell as the weather warms up before Payback goes full on thrash with the blissed out verses giving way to a full on guitar assault during the chorus with a ferocious warning against those scumbags who would try and assault women with the slow-building fury of the chant "We can't live like this!" building it up to a storming Rage Against The Machine style crescendo.

Kiss My Fist, written about the sickening homophobic attack on a lesbian couple on a London bus a couple of years ago, builds slowly with its tribal drums before bouncing in with a furious shoutalong chorus before the lo-fi acoustic strum of Big Dyke Energy rails against racism, homophobia and those who try to exploit the vulnerable for their own ends to end the album with the group's manifesto writ large.

Dream Nails have properly nailed it with this album. Bristling with positive punk energy, it's a call to arms to the downtrodden and a warning to the exploiters in society. Had I heard it a month or two earlier, this would have been right up there in the 2020 Album of the Year awards. As it is, I thoroughly recommend you check this album out and go to see them live when we finally get round to having gigs again. This is a group who are heading for the sky if there's any justice.

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NITE SONGS RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 (9/10)