New Bloods, The Secret Life

by Mike Turner
08/04/2008

It doesn’t matter that the New Bloods are based out of Portland, or that their record The Secret Life is released on Olympia Washington’s Kill Rock Stars label, or that the band is an all girl trio, or even that they have a violinist instead of a guitarist. What does matter is that the New Bloods have crafted one of the better debut full length records of 2008. Their music sits somewhere between the angular post punk of the Raincoats (another all girl trio w/ violin), the moody dance grooves of ESG, and the robotic deadpan vocals that bring to mind another no-grrrl fronted band Sound Houses.

All three members - Cassia, Osa, and Adel - switch out on vocal duties and lyric writing, but where the vocals are somewhat different with each member, the lyrics all seem to fall into being about the human condition.

The Secret Life covers themes of isolation, doubt, escapism, and an overall sense of the New Bloods trying to find their place and how they relate to those around them and themselves, bringing an overall heavy lyrical mood to a somewhat challenging yet danceable neo-post-punk record. Maybe it was their plan from the start to get your hips moving and your heart pumping before the songs could get your brain to working.

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