The Coathangers – Parasite

“I don’t want parasite/ Keeping me up all night/ I don’t want parasite/ Making me so fucking tired,” shout Julia, Meredith and Stephanie on the title track of this new EP, in what might be the simplest but most effective lyric of the year. Released amid the ruling year of some of the biggest political parasites the Western world has seen since the mid 20th century, the Coathangers' sixth release is as scathing and pertinent as ever.

A louder and arguably more sinister counterpart to the band’s 2016 album Nosebleed Weekend, Parasite appears a more realised attempt at wedding The Coathangers’ penchant for noise with the art of creating listenable, relatable melodies. Indeed, if you’re looking for an EP with enough self-assertive attitude to aid you as flick the Vs to all the mouth-breathers that hassle you on the street, then The Coathangers have the answer.

Overlapping and echoing vocals make you feel like part of the gang, while fuzzed guitars and maritime-inspired instrumentation give the tracks a razor sharp edge. An EP that is in equal parts crunchy and gritty, Parasite sticks it to the man with compelling effect.  

Listen to: Parasite, Down Down