In their new album Apocalipstick, Cherry Glazerr is not pressured to conform to the popular style of contemporary music and insists on a rougher, punk-like style.
While straying from the norm can be rewarding, the punk rockers evidently display the danger that can be involved in such a move. Put simply, their latest album’s tone is rough on the ears but the lyrics prove to be relevant and relatable.
In terms of approachability, it would not be hard to believe that prospective listeners divert their attention elsewhere when first glancing at the track list and respective titles. “Trash People,” “Sip O Position” and “Nurse Ratched” are not exactly the most appealing titles a band could come up with.
Though they stray from what average listeners are looking for, perhaps Cherry Glazerr is trying to send a message, one that focuses on the unappealing aspects of contemporary society. This may be difficult to listen to and, likewise, difficult to hear, but it is what needs to be said.
This storytelling of a disoriented society can be predicted in the title itself. Lipstick, something that symbolizes beauty and elegance, is combined with the word “apocalypse,” which, per definition, is the revelation of previously disclosed knowledge. Therefore, this composition of tracks forms an ugly truth often hidden under beauty, or some attempt to cover society’s unappealing traits.
The chorus to “Trash People” includes phrases such as, “We can’t live a nine to five, art is love and love is sloppy, nothing is pure.” As the song continues with this theme, the band reminds us of the carelessness of adolescents. In this case, “We” is referring to the younger generation, adding a sense of unity to the individuals involved to come together to fight the problem.
The same theme continues in “Only Kid on the Block” where it is evident the narrator is experiencing loneliness as she is “gasping for a breath, one day at a time … the sun will mask [her] pain.”
Evidently, Cherry Glazerr continues to portray another damaging quality of the younger generation — one in which many are prone to experiencing loneliness and depression but are too afraid to speak up.
One thing Cherry Glazerr does effectively is bring issues to the surface instead of trying to embed them under the surface of their content. While the upfront, forward content may be harsh on the ears, such a wakeup call is sometimes necessary.
