Sex Stains - Sex Stains

Released in September 2016 on Don Giovanni Records, the self-titled debut from Los Angeles quintet Sex Stains is a high-velocity masterclass in "fidgety" post-punk and thought-provoking noise. The band is a true underground "supergroup," fronted by the iconic Allison Wolfe (founding member of Bratmobile and a pioneer of the Riot Grrrl movement) alongside co-vocalist and renowned choreographer Mecca Vazie Andrews. Backed by a powerhouse rhythm section featuring members of Warpaint and Prettiest Eyes, Sex Stains crafts a sound that is equal parts infectious dance rhythms and jagged, angular cacophony.

Recorded at Station House Studio with producer Mark Rains, the album delivers twelve tracks that rarely cross the two-minute mark, hitting with a "hard and fast" intensity. The record opens with the harrowing yet catchy "Countdown To," where Wolfe recounts sharp childhood memories over Sharif Dumani’s gyrating guitar leads. The interplay between the two vocalists is the album's heartbeat: Wolfe’s signature high-register drawl perfectly complements Andrews’ lower, soulful delivery, particularly on the call-and-response anthem "Period. Period." and the playful, circus-organ-flecked "Who Song Love Song."

From the surf-rock instrumentals of "Confrontational" to the "love-hate" ode to Los Angeles in "Land of La LA," Sex Stains captures a band that is both jokey and deadly serious. It is a modern punk document that retains the biting, sarcastic edge of the early 90s while pushing into the "buoyant melodies" of late-70s new wave. For those seeking a record that is "always fun and rowdy" yet remains firmly rooted in feminist punk history, this self-titled debut is a vital, neon-colored addition to the collection.