I’ve been following the music career of Manchester based singer/bassist Kel and guitarist Giz for some time. In the first incarnation of my radio show Pigtails and Army Boots, over ten years ago now, I followed their previous band Obsessive Compulsive. I stopped doing radio and writing reviews for a long period of time, so I sort of got out of the loop with music in general, but I caught up again once I returned to those hobbies with a renewed vigour about two years ago now. I caught on to their project The Empty Page and soon I grew to love them as much as their previous band.
I got to experience The Empty Page live for the first time last year at Loud Women fest and I was blown away. They were one of my favourite acts of the day so I was looking forward to hearing more. I was delighted to have the opportunity to review their second album ‘Imploding’ and I was not disappointed.
The Empty Page have released a lot of singles from this album but it’s easy when you listen to the album to hear why. ‘Imploding’ is full of bangers, that it’s hard to pick a favourite song. But also some songs that are really beautiful, filled with emotion and intensely powerful.
Latest single ‘I’m a White Hot Blade (Witches are Wicked)’ being one of those powerful songs. It’s a song about reclaiming which gives me goose bumps. Kel sings passionately about the suppression of female power over the centuries, but in turn, honours those who have gone before but reclaiming that power. It turns out quite literally too, as she bravely faced her fears to record the accompanying video in which she makes a knife in a forge. She sings ‘I am the the fire, I am the power’ and you feel it in your bones. This song really resonated for me as I’m sure it will for many women who hear it.
Other songs include ‘Cock of the Fifth Year’ a grungy banger about sexism and male privilege in which Kel snarls angrily ‘Who says you get to push to the front?’ Mental health is another topic touched upon. In ‘Level Sedentary’ which has a dreamy, Sonic Youth like sound, depression and idleness is explored. ‘Medication Nation’ is about the whole nation suffering with their mental health ‘We’re all depressed, we’re a mess’.
Overall, this is a great alternative rock album with touches of grunge, and punk but also some real epics that touch your soul. A great balance of songs to dance to, but also songs that might make you reflect.
You can buy ‘Imploding’ now via Bandcamp
The Empty Page online : Facebook/Instagram/TikTok
Review written by Hayley Foster da Silva
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