Josephine and Julianna Hopkins aka Disgusting Sisters share their view of the world on debut album Skin and Blisters. With humour and lightness of touch throughout it is deceptive, using these tools to process life. Take opener ‘Sorry Mister’, is there any more of a put down than “I’m very sorry mister / I’ve seen the offer and I much prefer my sister“? This is wrapped within a cheeky jangly poppy vein the underlying bassline hinting at the darkness of these situations. ‘Weirdo Magnet’ follows, the delicious vocals alluding to the number of uncomfortable encounters the sisters have endured. This album is inspired by true events and how smart is the line: “I’m a weirdo / I’m a weirdo magnet”, self-deprecating, until it isn’t.
‘Not Cool’ has such a playful vibe to it, bouncing along which is perhaps a surprise due to its theme: “We wrote a song inspired by our exes called ‘Not Cool’. It started out as a joke but then when we sang it we realized it was actually quite good”. Taking back power with such joy is simply delicious. ‘Killing It’ shifts tone, reminiscent of Lilly Allen, it’s stunted cowbells and sliding vocals create a darker atmosphere yet still packed with whip smart lyrics.
‘Baby K’ is a highlight on Skin and Blisters. The exuberant energy is thrilling, and the vocal harmonies are gorgeous layered with a scuzzy guitar. “Baby K you make me fly so high about to crash someday”. In contrast ‘Waste of Space’ with its eastern twang and featuring that dreadful dial-up modem sound heads in a completely different direction. ‘Fence Sitter’ has a stuttering start with spikey beats before launching into its speedy lyric delivery.
Disgusting Sisters prove they are no one trick pony on their debut. ‘Frankenstein’ provides a more contemplative moment, allowing the vocal to lead the way. The imagery is so clear throughout the album, and the reason for the title of this track becomes obvious from the first listen: “I’m sowing up these broken pieces recreating memories of you.” It is beautifully delivered.
‘TGIF’ brings us back into the world of pulsating beats, and yet the mundanity of the 9-5 is the star of this track. The office world is referenced throughout with a thoroughly relevant deadpan vocal delivery. Perhaps one of the most heartfelt moments of Skin and Blister is those “oh god”‘s throughout ‘TGIF’ – a completely relatable expression of the office environment! Final track ‘Calvin Klein’ is a warped electronic-pop fest. An exploration of relationships and the murky trickiness of it all, it is the perfect end to Skin and Blisters, leaving the listener with those throbbing beats and an inevitable grin on their face closing out a debut album packed with the expression of the world Disgusting Sisters inhabit, with all it’s absurdity.
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Review: 8 out of 10