Back in March, I fell in love with the French “Witchy Grunge Feminists” Pythies. You can see my previous review of their last single, “Eclipse,” here.
I was thrilled when I saw the promotion for another single, as ever since hearing “Eclipse,” I’ve had it on repeat. This new single, “Toy,” is just as brilliant and is another track I’ll be listening to again and again. “Toy” is a full-on feminist anthem about self-empowerment and reclaiming power. According to singer Lise, the song is about “a friendship that has been wasted over by the constant objectification and over-sexualization of women, a hard and disgusting reality.”
The song is sassy and full of attitude, opening with the bold lyrics: “You think you can approach me, But I thought of you as nothing, You say you didn’t want me, But boy you could never handle me,” before heading into the incredibly catchy chorus: “Sexy little toy for you, Caress me if you daunt, Sexy little toy for you, Undress me if you want.” The witchiness is still present too, with the line, “Pray for you ’cause soon you’re none, Witchy spells will turn you on.”
Style-wise, “Toy” has a grungy, ’90s vibe reminiscent of bands like Hole or L7. This seems to be a general consensus, as Pierre from RSTLESS Radio said: “What a beautiful discovery PYTHIES has been! For almost the first time, I’m re-experiencing my grunge years (’90s). I will even say that they are the French COURTNEY LOVE of this new century. A casual girly trio that points out the patriarchy with cleverness and spirit. Their killer purity carries you in a super cool and catchy groove, but careful, they’re not for sale!”
In “Toy,” Pythies delivers a powerful message wrapped in infectious grunge melodies, blending raw emotion with a defiant spirit. The track solidifies their place as modern torchbearers of feminist grunge, capturing the essence of the ’90s while pushing the genre into new, uncharted territories.
‘Toy’ is out now and you can get it here, an EP titled ‘Disillusion’ is expected in September
Pythies have a few dates in the UK in August:
9/8 The Prince Albert in Brighton
10/8 Signature Brew Haggerston, London
Pythies Online: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Bandcamp
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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