Goat Girl
Doubling up as a striking visual metaphor for the ugliness of oppressive structures, or as a by-product of modern society that they must break through, Goat Girl encourage you to imagine a world where such barriers are stripped away on this 16 track offering.
Progressing from their angst-fuelled self-titled debut (2018), to the escapist world of sophomore LP On All Fours (2021), the South London trio, consisting of Rosy Jones, Lottie Pendlebury and Holly Mullineaux, enter their most self-assured era in 2024. Co-produced alongside John ‘Spud’ Murphy (black midi’s Cavalcade and more recently Lankum’s Mercury-nominated False Lankum), Goat Girl’s approach to Below the Waste is confident and mature, whilst maintaining a playful sense of curiosity and wonderment. Delving deeper into the extremes of their distinctive sound, Spud’s knowledge, enthusiasm and patience provided a safe pair of hands to bring Goat Girl’s lofty ambitions to life. Weaving effortlessly between disparate elements of expansive noise-rock, delicate folk experimentation and satisfying synth-pop, their unique combination of styles and unorthodox recording methods is a testament to their new collaborative production style.
From the varied styles of vocal delivery, which range from gentle and restrained to blood-curdling and raw, to the tasteful incorporation of voice notes, samples, animal noises and miscellaneous objects used in unconventional ways; Goat Girl’s innovative use of their surroundings results in a sonic world that belongs to them alone. Going heavier than ever before on avant-garde instrumental composition ‘jump sludge’, unlikely love song ‘sleep talk’ and full-throttle number ‘tcnc’, the blissed-out nursery rhyme of ‘pretty faces’, the ambient field recording of ‘tonight’ and the triumphant electronica of ‘motorway’ and ‘play it down’ demonstrate an ongoing exploration of darkness and light. In playing with such stark contrasts, Goat Girl’s consideration of space and flow is vital, placing lo-fi vignettes ‘reprise’, ‘prelude’ and ‘s.m.o.g’ strategically to offer moments of reflection, which counteract the grandiosity of Below the Waste’s dense orchestral arrangements.
Thematically, the absurdity of our increasingly dystopian environment is exposed through the magical realism of Lottie’s lyrics, often setting the surreal and the painfully relatable side by side. From melting cars to the abolition of surveillance on ‘perhaps’, the record conveys a desire to imagine a future that discards oppressive structures and in turn makes us consider what that world would look like. Meanwhile, ‘ride around’ takes a worts-and-all stance on forming new connections, embracing the messiness of being human in search of unencumbered joy. Opening themselves up on a number of tracks, Goat Girl’s compassion and vulnerability repeatedly comes across as strength. Playing out like a conversation between the three bandmates, ‘words fell out’, ‘take it away’ and ‘tcnc’ all refer to Rosy Bones’ struggle with addiction and their journey towards recovery – a time that deeply affected the whole band, but with each other’s unconditional love, support, and shared sense of camaraderie, they made it through. Within the context of the album as a whole, we are able to celebrate the beauty of collectivism, community and most of all friendship.
Whilst the band’s tightly-held political values are applied in a more nuanced way for the most part, cutting lines across the album are placed to have maximum impact. From the visceral screams on ‘tcnc’ as Rosy Bones writes ‘there’s too many people on their knees’, to Lottie releasing an unruly pack of hounds onto those that hoard power on the closing opus ‘wasting’, Goat Girl pick their moments carefully and call out injustices they observe within the waste motif. As they look beneath it all, what is uncovered are the things that should be cherished in life – the beauty and joy this record strives towards. The physical destruction that pervades its tracklist – the sinking, the swallowing, the mud and the examination of the undergrowth – are the reminders of the all-consuming power of nature that we can so often ignore, as the group imagine the reconstruction of a fairer, more compassionate, society.
More Events
Explore The Neighbourhood
Abtuse
“Abtuse” has built a reputation around the jazz and blues music scene over the past five years as a band playing an exciting and eclectic…
Learn MoreRust for Glory + The Marrakesh Express
The Marrakesh Express are a unique experience in UK theatres, festivals and arts centres, recreating an iconic period in music with stunning vocal harmonies, psychedelic…
Learn MoreLuther Vandross Tribute
The ‘Stars in their Eyes’ winner recreates the finest soul singer of the 80’s and 90’s; his tribute to the great Luther Vandross repertoire includes…
Learn MoreEd Gamble: Hot Diggity Dog
Ed Gamble has minced a load of meat (thoughts), piped it into a casing (show) and it’s coming to a bun (venue) near you –…
Learn MoreFamily Ceilidh
An all-action, multi-generational, family-friendly ceilidh under our beautiful vaulted ceiling? Everyone is welcome, whether it’s your first or you’re an old-hand, York-based FiddlersWreck will have…
Learn MoreWines of Coastal Spain Tasting Experience
Wines of Coastal Spain with Rafa Martin 5 course wine-paired tasting menu Journey through the sun-kissed coastal regions of Spain with our exclusive five course…
Learn MoreThe Leeds Deli
Your neighbourhood deli serving up all the yummy stuff! Artisan Pizzas, Focaccia Sandwiches, Fresh Bread, Pastries, Sweet Treats and so much more…
Learn MoreCafe Vie The Station
We are an independent coffee shop committed to serving you consistently fabulous coffee complemented with great food.
Learn MoreVice and Virtue
Award winning fine dining British restaurant and prohibition cocktail lounge. We now offer a choice of two tasting menus for your dining experience. We can…
Learn MoreGeralds Bar and Restaurant
Geralds Bar and Restaurant is located in the heart of Wakefield. They offer a combination of pizza and pasta dishes, whilst having pride in their…
Learn MoreHoney Pottery
Based in Horsforth, Leeds, Honey Pottery is part of the bustling community on New Road Side. Our pottery café has a fun, friendly atmosphere –…
Learn MoreHoist House
Hoist House – The Pub of Wellington Place Hoist House, Wellington Place’s first independent pub, is the perfect place to relax either inside or out.…
Learn MoreAge UK Leeds
Age UK Leeds is an independent charity working in Leeds to offer support and services to older people.
Learn MoreOL Horbury
OL Horbury is small independent café bar located on the high street in Horbury. We offer a relaxed quirky hygge environment with a large outdoor…
Learn MoreThe Woolpack Music Studios
The Woolpack Studios is a community music studio and rehearsal space in the centre of Otley, run by Richard Sabey and Jennifer Pugh. As well…
Learn MoreLeeds Arts University Vernon Street
Leeds Arts University has a large exhibitions programme of around twenty shows a year held in our two main buildings. This gallery is situated just…
Learn MoreKirkstall Educational Cricket Club
The Field of Dreams and the home of Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club!
Learn MoreInkwell Arts
Inkwell Arts is a creative wellbeing service from Leeds Mind. Linking creativity and mental wellbeing.
Learn MoreOur House
Our House is a trans-led LGBTQ+ centre right here in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Get involved in your new Wakefield community hub and see what we…
Learn MoreBramley Community Centre
Bramley Community Centre is a community facility for groups, meetings, activities and events. Get in touch about hiring the main hall or meeting room.
Learn MoreThe Mansion House
We teamed up with Leeds City Council & lovingly restored The Mansion to its former glory in 2009. It was the first venue we ever…
Learn MoreHeart Centre
Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre – HEART – is the arts, enterprise and community centre in the middle of Headingley run by the community for…
Learn More