Screaming Females Desire Pathway
- Alternative |
- Garage |
- Post Punk |
- Punk |
- Rock
Release Date: February 17, 2023
Label: Don Giovanni
Now 17 years and eight albums in, Screaming Females are still making their own path in the world and releasing music without compromise, as heard on new album Desire Pathway.
Desire Pathway was recorded at Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studios, the same place Nirvana recorded In Utero, and produced by Matt Bayles (Foxing, Pearl Jam, Mastodon). Bright and full, the album captures the band at a time when nothing was certain other than their abiding desire to make music together. It all begins with the Sabbath-y hypnotism of “Brass Bell.” Following a swelling haze of synth, feedback shrieks, martial snares advance, and the band explodes into a bracing groove. Soon, Marissa Paternoster makes the cryptic announcement: “I have flown us to the moon,” and we’re off. The song has the effect of clearing one haze and replacing it with another, much heavier one. Compared with their previous record, 2018's expansive All At Once, Desire Pathway feels refreshed and direct. "Beyond The Void" may gather gloomily, but it quickly releases into its jangly, memorable chorus. And lead single "Mourning Dove" successfully channels the Pixies into a tight, driving power-pop song.
Once you start looking for them, you’ll see desire paths everywhere. In parks and driveways, parking lots and apartment complexes, in front of corner stores, libraries, schools and offices.
“Maybe there was one in your neighborhood growing up, a corner where everyone decided it took too long to go around, so they made their own pathway to cut through,” says Paternoster. “There’s this cool unsaid group consciousness that comes together where everyone decides, this is the right way to go.”
Now a band for half the lifetime of its members, Screaming Females have long been pounding out their own desire path. Formed in 2005 in New Brunswick, NJ, the trio has consistently created a hearty, surprising mix of indie, punk, and stoner rock, all with their original line-up of Paternoster, “King Mike” Mike Abbate (bass), and Jarrett Dougherty (drums).
"Marissa Paternoster is one of the best guitar players alive." - Kathleen Hanna
["Screaming Females] are a great band and I hope they keep going forever." - Steve Albini