Jazmin Bean- Worldwide Torture (EP 2019, full album 2020)

 I'd never heard of this very young artist (they are still in their teens, I believe) until Mrs Llamastrangler introduced me to their work yesterday... and their album is extraordinary. I don’t just say that because they are apparently the offspring of the drummer from Fluffy (remember them?) and Ginger Wildheart (I feel old), but because they sound completely unlike any other music I’ve heard from those of their generation which is anywhere near remotely mainstream.

Much of what I’ve managed to find about them on search engines seems to be written by people from the modern day pop world, devotees of a genre I find mostly unlistenable because of the stupid production methods. These people claim that Jasmin Bean sounds like a cross between pop and heavy metal. This is nonsense. Neither the songwriting, their voice nor the guitars sound anything like that.

No; instead, think of the British side of Riot Grrl from back in the day, Daisy Chainsaw rather than Bikini Kill. Think guitar sound that echoes the sort of thing we called “alternative” back in the ‘90s. Think gloriously twisted lyrics with a voice that reminds to an extent of Bat for Lashes but is truly unique. Think of the look of Hole or Babes in Toyland. Think of nipping down Woolworths and buying this LP, or whatever the young ‘uns do these days. This album is a bit good. And in no way makes me feel old.