Review Summary: I will give birth in a trailer
Paradise, White Lung’s fourth studio album builds excellently on their previous works to deliver an album that is both measured and wildly eclectic. Kenneth William’s guitar playing is a highlight of the album as it brings a fantastic noisy atmosphere that shapes the album. This is evident in the opening tracks of the album “Dead Weight” and “Narcoleptic”. The latter of which features heavy noise rock influences and a passage that sounds like the musical equivalent of static with a screaming guitar fighting for space with Mish-Way Barber’s soaring vocals reminiscent of the early days of Hole’s work but with a decidedly more pop-driven delivery that maintains a high emotional energy.
The track “Below” is far more somber than the opening tracks but no less engaging; it is time the album takes direct notice of its central theme of struggle with the human condition: love and loss. This theme is punctuated by explosions of fury in what is one of the album’s slower cuts.
The track blends into the poppy “Kiss Me When I Bleed”. Incredibly catchy yet focusing on the deep lows of love and heartbreak as well as including lines such as “I will give birth in a trailer” which emphasize the depraved feelings of heartbreak. Twin tracks “Demented” and “Hungry” both feature prominent post-hardcore influences but with the White Lung flair evident since their debut.
The penultimate song on the album “Vegas”, features a thrashing guitar lead with booming drums which drag the listener down into the depths of this album. The final title track “Paradise” however is far more upbeat to the point of being triumphant in the context of the album. Whereas everything has gone wrong in the context of the album’s lyrics, “Paradise” details an imperfect but loving relationship while Barber exclaims that she wants her love to “ride South” with her, suggesting happiness can be found even in the lowest of places.
The album clocks in at just under a half-hour but delivers its message concisely while staying constantly engaging and energetic. It is a punk album for the modern day; short, powerful, and just a little bit unclean.
