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Tag: Album Review

  • The Prosecco Diaries by Femmes Voyous

    The Prosecco Diaries by Femmes Voyous

    Album: The Prosecco Diaries 

    Artist: Femmes Voyous

    Released: July, 07, 2025; Witch House Studios 

    Punk bands fronted by ladies, while not unicorn rare, are not exactly a dime a dozen the way punk bands packed full of dudes are. So, when you tell me that I should check one out, I am always happy to oblige. Femmes Voyous hails from Edmonton, Canada and as their name suggests (Rogue Women in French) aren’t your stereotypical “girl power” packing pop princesses. Their music is loud with in your face lyrics that are often as humorous as they are scathing. 

    The opening song on the album is “Phoenix and Raven”. It is as much a thesis statement for the album as it is a punk rock girl boss anthem. Immediately as the guitars kick in and the drums start pounding, you can tell you’re going to have a good time with this song; something, if you like this song, I can guarantee will continue for the rest of the album. I really can’t overstate how this song stakes its flag securely in the ground and declares—this band is two girlfriends out to have a good time rocking out together.    

    “Candy” is another that really sets the stage. The guitar work is fantastic. The lyrics are poppy and fun in a way that really works with the metaphor the song employs. It is an extremely well put together rock song. So much so that I wouldn’t fault you if you looked up the song credits to see if it’s a cover. It is of course not, but wouldn’t be out of place on a Blondie album, no doubt. 

    Now “Punk Rock Boys” is where the Femmes Voyous’s scathing humor really shines. It is an ode to shitty boyfriends of the punk rock variety. I have no idea who the person is who inspired the song but consider that dweeb thoroughly roasted. When the chorus comes in, then they hit you with the lyric, “I loved his crusty ways” it’s so meta; I just find it endlessly hilarious. It’s my favorite song, followed in a close second by “Dive Bar”. Another great, upbeat song in the same vain as Phoenix and Raven, but this one includes a great bit, featuring a mock phone call from a boyfriend. In my head canon its the same crusty dude from Punk Rock Boys, but who knows. In it, the the boyfriend is whining about who is going to make him breakfast and the line “Your Fucking Mom” is dropped and again it just kills me. Like damn, go off queen. 

    “The Prosecco Diaries” as a freshman offering goes hard. It is a blast from beginning to end. It’s all about showing you a good time and quite possibly might even fight you if you try to be a curmudgeon. If you didn’t have fun by the end of it, you should probably go to the doctor and make sure you’re not dead.  

    If you like the album I reviewed here and want to support the artist as well as this blog please consider picking up the album via this affiliate link—> Purchase The Prosecco Diaries by Femmes Voyous digitally via Amazon Music 

  • What’s Another Night? by Apes of the State

    What’s Another Night? by Apes of the State

    Album: What’s Another Night?

    Artist: Apes of the State

    Released: April 22, 2025; Self Release

    This is the third full length release by Apes of the State, fourth if you want to count the solo album no one really talks about. As a band I really enjoy their commitment to DIY music and the folk punk genre/community and also their general disdain for the government. If you are a fan of any of those things, you will be happy to know that all those things are found in spades on this release.

    Ever since Apes of the State went to a full electric touring band, the folk punk that lives in my heart has been a little bummed. However, all the other punks that live in my heart tell that little shit to stop whinging the moment the electric guitar piece hits midway through, “I’m Okay”. Its truly incredibly good and really illustrates the change was a good decision. The song is about dealing with the angst of growing up and realizing thing aren’t working out like you had planned and dealing with the desire to make things better. This is a recurring theme of the album as well. I struggle to say that this is the best song on the album because there are other solid bangers, but it is up at the top of the list.

    “Punk Rock Shows In Heaven” is my favorite song on the album, it is the classic, Apes of the State fans have come to know and love. Its got acoustic guitar, punchy drum beats and self reflective lyrics. Whats not to love? At face value, it’s a song about what it’s like in heaven but deep down I think it’s really about making life here and now more like what we imagine heaven to be. This hopeful sentiment is what keeps me coming back to Apes’ music.

    “Hot Summer Night’s Part 1 and Part 2” are cool songs Part 1 is a look at the nostalgia for youth with an ire of self judgment. Part 2 offers the same nostalgic look at the past but offers a more mature and developed take and the desire for simpler times and a reprieve from the responsibilities of adulthood. The two songs combined really feel like a coming of age story, because of the “character growth” between part 1 and 2 and the neat little, “where are they now?” retrospective that makes up the later half of part 2. It really delivers the vibes a later 80s earlier 90s movie in the vain of The Sandlot or Stand by Me. I guess that is what I think about when I get all nostalgic.

    What’s Another Night is a great addition to the Apes of the State Discography. It offers a few more glorious steps into a electrified musical direction while providing big payoffs for long time fans. I especially like the call backs to their album “Pipe Dream” found in the “Intro” track and “Round 2” which is a reprise of “Fight Song”. Bringing it back as if to say to everyone that the fight continues, and we ain’t getting through it without each other. That is, I think that over all message of Apes of the State music, and the thing that makes it meaningful to me. They aren’t afraid to point out that they’ve got problems, that we’ve got problems, and that society at large is a mess. More importantly though if we work together we can solve them.

    If you like the album I reviewed here and want to support the artist as well as this blog please consider picking up the album via this affiliate link—> Purchase What’s Another Night? By Apes of the State digitally via Amazon Music