New York’s Firstsex have released their debut album Forever Flirt. The band is composed of Elena Childers aka DJ Tiny Hands (vocals/keytar), THICK’s Nikki Sisti (vocals/keytar/percussion), Shannon Shaw/Dropper’s Andrea Scanniello (bass), and photographer Tess Fulkerson (drums), and the quartet share the following on their debut:
“The record is the unapologetic declarations of two grown women late in the night creating “slumberparty core,” goth-dance, girly-punk music for both fun and out of necessity to keep their hearts sane. This album was their cure and is the cure for anyone else in need of reigniting their spark.”
It was self-recorded at Nikki’s home studio, mixed by Michael Rudinski of Brother Michael Sound, and mastered by Carl Saff of Saff Mastering. An amalgamation of Elena’s suppressed feminine rage and Nikki’s suppressed sexuality, the album showcases the release of these shadow parts of themselves that have been not just begging, but battling to get out.
Forever Flirt opens with the deadpan delivery of ‘4am’. “What happens when the sun goes down?” ask Firstsex with a questioning attitude layered on top of drums and beats. The assertiveness of the vocal grows as the track progresses, perhaps mirroring the passage of the night. “I’m over you by the morning” they state convincingly, and there is something confident about that heavy breathing towards the end, flipping the usual narrative of men using it to intimate women. A change of pace and vibe for the beginning of ‘Insatiable Temptation’, with is measured questioning of another’s personality, behaviour and attitude. It’s in part tongue in cheek but also alludes to being able to see right through the other’ person’s motives. “Do you enjoy our conversations? Or am I just an insatiable temptation?”. The music creates a lightness around the theme with its pulsating beats.
We are introduced to the next song with “This song is called ‘Diet Cheat Lite'”. It’s a spikey quirky off-kilter couple of minutes which suggests the addictive nature of a relationship. The vocals get more and more orgasmic, and the timing of that beep at the end is pure class.
All is not as it originally seems on latest single ‘C.U.N.T.’, the letters actually standing for “Can U Never Text me”, the play on words daring but making a point. This album feels like an exasperating outpouring, resulting from toxic relationships. ‘C.U.N.T.’ is both self deprecating and appealing to the other person to recognise the end. “I’m a cunt and we’re done”.
‘Coven’ is slightly darker in tone but dominated by forthright beats. It’s a physical description of a sexual encounter the layered vocals creating an atmosphere full of drama. It’s in sharp contrast to “Mirror” which bounces into life. Here the request is to share all: “I’ll keep your secrets, the ones you hide”. Opening up and communicating honestly is a part of any loving relationship and the desire to look after another is evident here: “Keep all of them safe, lock them deep inside.”
‘Dial Up’ begins with exactly that, opening with the sound of a modem dialling up! The track deftly references how technology has got in the way of the human connection. A highlight on Forever Flirt this is a joy and it zips along at pace. However the inference is that technology is eroding relationships. There is a darkness too as the lyric: “call me by my screen name” suggests hiding, whilst the final lyrics: “Fuck mom hang up the phone” as quite shocking, with inappropriate behaviour online and an escape route swiftly required.
‘Short Kings’ is quite frankly hilarious, admitting that tall is overrated. It’s fast and furious, the sharpness of the lyrics intertwined with instrumentation which perfectly matches its vibe, and then that explosion at the end. The love song of ‘Each Other’ follows, exuding the thrill of a compatible partner. “Our hands are wrapped in each other, touching each other”. This is what we are all looking for, however it was intriguing to hear the police sirens at the end! The album closes out with the declaration of ‘Crazy Bitch (I Love You So)’. Having to relinquish love when it becomes impossible is so difficult, expressed here by the increasingly distraught vocal – and a sudden end. “It’s not that easy letting go”
For more information on Firstsex please check their instagram and bandcamp.
Review: 7 out of 10