Savages - Flying To Berlin

If you were to lap up every word splurged by writers for the contemporary London music inkies you’d think that Savages were the most breathtaking and profound thing to happen to music in the last 20 years. There’s that much of a mad buzz about them! In truth, they’re merely a bunch of moody-looking (and obviously very savvy) young femmes who seemingly produce the latest incarnation of that old dog called post-punk. They do it much more successfully than a lot of “those” bands from around 8-10 years ago did, however, and this debut single is magnificently produced.

‘Flying to Berlin’ sounds punchy, airy and propulsive with a dense rumbling bass, funky drums, an atmosphere of dry ice and convincing vocal theatrics. That Jehnny has a great voice, veering from gothically stentorian to sensually ethereal. Yeah, they don’t half sound like a bunch of goths though they’ve obviously studied their Joy Division, PiL, Gang of Four and Siouxsie obsessively so everything is quite okay.

The flip ‘Husbands’ is even more thrilling, coming for you at a possessed frantic gallop with this caustic divebombing rush of cold guitar and flailing drums that sears the hairs on your neck. It’s a breathless surge of a song with a desperate vocal that, experienced live, I should imagine would tear you a new hole. I’m actually super-keen on seeing them in the flesh now, more than justifying the hype on this mega limited single and they’ve only been playing for around a year or summat! Don’t fuck around on this one, we couldn’t get many...