SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MANNEQUIN PUSSY – I GOT HEAVEN

MANNEQUIN PUSSY
I GOT HEAVEN
EPITAPH RECORDS

Mannequin Pussy is Philadelphia, punk rock, with a generous splash of indie. Marisa “Missy” Dabice (vocals and guitar), Maxine Steen (guitar), Colins “Bear” Regisford (bass), and Kaleen Reading (drums) are Mannequin Pussy and offer something extraordinary in I Got Heaven, a delight to listen to, particularly for those who crave female punk, often harder-hitting, relevant, and more accessible to a minority crowd.

There’s a lot of strength to this album; it ebbs and flows with specks of raw punk such as “OK? OK! OK? OK!”, “Of Her” and “Aching”, which punch you in the face whilst surrounded by indie charm; a clear trajectory is not set. This method is clever and speaks to an eclectic audience; it caters to those who cannot sustain straight punk’s consistent racket, using introspective and emotional lyrics and exploring themes endlessly.

I Got Heaven has pushed Mannequin Pussy’s talent with a blend of catharsis and raw punk. The opener, “I Got Heaven”, is freakin’ sweet, ruthless, and relentless punk, true to the Epitaph name. The splash of indie comes in the form of “Nothing Like”; it is a hypnotic harmony, the vocals dreamy with a breathless vibe that is simply mesmerising and not expected from the punk genre, making it extraordinary. The popular single “I Don’t Know You” is an essential indie classic and lures you into a false sense of security regarding female punk. “Sometimes” seeks to enhance a more arduous trajectory and invites the listener into an album crescendo; look out, we are in for a treat.

Overall, Mannequin Pussy is quintessential punk with a strong female lead vocalist in Dabice, who is influential and a crucial presence in the punk rock scene; the standout track, “Split Me Open”, wraps up the album perfectly and is beautifully crafted; Epitaph has something special here.

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