The Blurry Stars – No Mames
There’s no opposition, or, at least, there ain’t much of a reason to pay attention to it. We were told routinely that difficult times, in the U.S. and the rest of the world, and political upheaval, would be the spark to light punk rock’s fuse.
Supposedly, the best American punk-rock was made as a protest to Ronald Reagan’s regime, and history was about to repeat itself. However, good intentions don’t translate into memorable songs.
Where are all the memorable slogans, or the jokes about corrupt politicians that you can’t stop quoting? Where are the protest songs that get the public’s attention and force their way onto radio, television and internet virality? The Blurry Stars offer hope where little of it existed before.
It’s true, “No Mames” wears its conviction on its sleeve and seems to want to tell you precisely what side of the political aisle The Blurry Stars is on. But, much more importantly than that, the song’s energy and retro sound make it one that is unlikely to just slip out of your brain once you’ve heard it. And, besides, the Anglo-Spanish song is less about political discourse, but rather about heart and humanity. It injects some bravery and hope at a time when many feel intimidated and are fearful for the future. Maybe punk-rock can still do something important after all.
Ellen and the Boyz – SORRY NOT SORRY
People routinely get angry, react foolishly and then forget all about it. Seems like the smart thing to do. It must feel like wasting too much time on any one anger-inducing event at one time simply feeds into the time allocated for everything else that you need to do.
However, just imagine the kind of novels, poems and punk songs that go missing just because the artists aren’t able to hold on to their anger and eloquently tell the world just what they felt at that particular moment.
Sure, it’s awfully hard to find just the right words to express it. However, none of those things need to be perfect. Few expect it, or even want flawlessness. Ellen and the Boyz understand that what audiences need, instead, is someone who can put into words what so many feel in their life.
“SORRY NOT SORRY” is a punk-rock song about being stuck in a relationship where you give more than you receive. Nominally, it’s an attempt at a feminist anthem. But it’s something about the energy that Ellen and the Boyz bring to the track that makes this a good fit for every kind of audience.
It’s a tune that nearly feels written on the spot and under the pressure of powerful emotions. In fact, it’s a song that focuses on exorcising the anger rather than wasting time finding just the right words. That’s the spirit, and it’s what audiences desperately need.
