by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
The second full length, On All Fours, from London based Goat Girl dials up the danceable grooves under the floating psychedelic flourishes that were ever present on the previous recordings. There is a more pronounced musicality on display here with flowing rhythm and elastic bass providing a more fluid base for a new form of musical exploration. The spiky and forceful post-punk foundations are still prevalent, but there is a bit more songwriting nous on display that highlights the multiple strengths and depths this quartet draw from. The songwriting growth is quite evident and the ability to tackle so many tricky subjects in such a compelling manner is something to be applauded at every turn.
“Jazz (In the Supermarket)” is a perfect example of the burgeoning funk that this record puts on full display as the guitars of Clottie Cream and L.E.D do battle with each other for prominence with lithe fills counterpointed by spiky chording vibrato laden slinkiness. There is a lot happening on this wordless workout with impressively flexible drumming from Rosy Bones as well as bending and swerving basslines that will be sure to have you smiling and nodding along. “P.T.S Tea” is a laid-back groove that seems slightly influence by 60’s French pop with a synth horn foundation and keyboard swirls that transport the audience to a whole other universe. The breathiness of the vocals plays a wonderful foil to the shifting rhythm and jangling guitars that produces an intoxicating cloudy undercurrent.
“Pest” starts off with a lightly strummed guitar underneath Cream intoning an assertive missive about paying heed to allowing distance from unwanted advances. The space that is presented here musically speaking is quite striking and allows the audience to focus on the attitude and force of the message at hand before roiling drums and bubbling keys add to the mounting pressure and intensity. “Anxiety Feels” is one of the poppier numbers despite the jittery landscape and lyrical content, yet also proves one of the more assured and steady performances on the record. L.E.D’s vocals flow so smoothly over the slinky and driving bass of Holly Hole and the light twinkling of synthesizer that breaks up brittle and cutting guitar lines.
On All Fours is a record that allows a lot of room to breathe and present a maturing growth and ever-expanding musical landscape to prod and search for such a youthful and exciting quartet. This recording shows a band that is only scratching the surface, yet one that manages to reign in their ambitions and create a piece that provides so many possibilities. The development that has happened lyrically and musically in just a few years’ time is breathtaking, everything seems to fit together into a puzzle of near perfection. This record blossoms with every repeat listen and opens up so much new territory that is yet to be explored. Goat Girl have created a work that pushes their artistic achievements forward in leaps and bounds yet doesn’t come close to scratching the surface of the possibilities that lie ahead.