Expatriarch presents: Gurr.

Reading the band’s name and seeing their all-woman lineup, it’s hard not to think of riot grrrl, the 90s feminist punk movement seeing a resurgence lately (prime example: the reunited Sleater-Kinney). When these sorts of revivals show up so punctually on a 20-year timer, it’s easy to roll your eyes at the calculated nostalgia, but thankfully some fresh acts are able to invigorate our eardrums: The U.S. West Coast has Slutever and Tacocat; Berlin has Gurr. Like something between a purr and a growl, the slightly goofy name indicates the trio’s ability not to take themselves seriously while still baring enough fangs as so not to be written off as “cutesy”. Following several under-the-radar cassette tape releases, Gurr has just delivered their Furry Dream EP, six zippy tracks with fuzzed-out jangly riffs, plenty of reverb, spiky lyrics and a Pussycat Dolls sendup recorded while high on Club Mate. An energetic listening experience for sure, but the kind that beckons you to go to their show so you can get that slap in the face live. (Text: Joey Hansom)

–