Cork-based, Limerick-born Elaine Malone has long been one of Ireland’s most prolific, innovative and interesting musicians. Much has been said about her work with kraut-rock demons Land Crabs, her terrifying eco-horror project Mantua and her shoegazing with Soft Focus. Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing an Elaine Malone gig can attest to her uniquely intense brand of performance. On stage, she stares you down, at once cutting through your soul and reminding you that this is her show, you are incidental. Excitement around what the debut album of this incredibly distinctive performer may consist of has been palpable since the first whisperings of the project began. Elaine has delivered magnificently.
The album pulls from many different sources, its DNA embedded with Nico as much as My Bloody Valentine. Personal highlights include the enormous single Moontread, with its Albini-esque guitars and soaring vocals, the driving, fervent Eat Out of Your Hand, and The Hunger, a song that makes desperation dancey, a hypnotic bassline pulling you in until a wave of guitars and bass clarinet knocks you right back out. Fans of Elaine’s live shows will be delighted to hear a re-recording of her 2019 single My Baby’s Dead, transforming it from a no-wavey stomper to a Tarantino soundtrack ready groover.
Elaine and her band – Jimmy Christie, Sam Clague and Ruari Dale – have made what is sure to be remembered as one of the great Irish debuts. People of Cork say; we told ya so!
Words: Elle Kelleher
