ALBUM REVIEW: SHELF LIVES – YES, OFFENCE

‘Yes, Offence’ is the debut mini album from upcoming South London based duo Shelf Lives. The band have already been creating a buzz, with radio plays from the likes of BBC6 Music and press coverage from The Independent, and Gigwise among others. The band have also been touring around Europe with Skunk Anansie.

Shelf Lives are vocalist Sabrina and guitarist/producer Jonny, originating from Toronto, Canada and Northampton in the UK. They describe the album as ‘a reflection of a broken society verging on the edge of cultureless, all while wearing a party hat’

The album consists of eight short but powerful tracks that pack a punch that hits you straight in the stomach, making you pay attention. There are echoes of the attitude of artists such as Peaches and Bikini Kill. Fueled with anger and dissatisfaction of the world, lyrics such as “I’m so bored and nobody likes me” litter the post-punk fueled tracks.

There is a toughness but also vulnerability behind the words, for example in the song ‘Mark Twain; which is about the struggle of self expression.` I get the feeling, I get the love but I can’t get the words out.’ Stand out track ‘I Don’t Think I’ll Go Out Today’ seems like it might be about returning to ‘normality’ after the covid lockdowns.

Shelf Lives continue their tour with Skunk Anansie in Oxford on the 16th June and Southampton on the 26th. ‘Yes Offence’ is available now, you can hear and purchase the album on Bandcamp

Read Shelf Lives’ My Life In 10 Songs interview and playlist on Joyzine.

Find out more on Shelf Lives’ official website

Review by Hayley Foster da Silva

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