Single Review: VENUS GRRRLS - Violet State Of Mind
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Hailing from a city as musically vibrant and exciting as Leeds is always a good start, but VENUS GRRRLS are a band causing a stir for more than just being in the right place at the right time. The band - who's roots lie firmly in Alternative Rock and Riot Grrrl influences - are on a mission to push women's issues to the forefront of the Alt Rock agenda. Their hardhitting sound pulls no punches and they immediately pricked the ears of the like-minded Chloe Benfield - who took a listen to their new single and shared these thoughts.
'Violet State of Mind' intrigues me and I haven't even pressed play yet. Though I've not come across VENUS GRRRLS before, even reading their very cool name instantly evokes the likes of Rock n' Roll queens The Runaways; a sexy little bass riff opens up the track, confirming I'm on the right lines. A couple seconds in and things are already kicking up a gear. Accompanied by a super-catchy drumbeat, the peppery and powerful lead guitar erupts into verse one, which punches us square in the face with strong, honeyed vocals.
"was gonna call it quits on the night / until you walked in my line of sight / talking to your mates while in a violet state of mind."
Most of us have caught someone’s eye on the dance floor and decided "actually, I think I might stay a little bit longer..." so I'm there with the girls in a sticky club, squinting through the fog and lights. “I see you tryna catch my eye,” croons GK, effortlessly slipping into a higher range and leading us nicely into a banger of a chorus.
“I don’t want to waste my time,” she says, not wasting any of ours either. Catchy, quick and easily committed to memory, the simple rhyme scheme and repetitive lyrics might not be Shakespearian, but they are guaranteed to grab hold of your brain and start squatting in there, as they have been in mine all afternoon.
Verse two continues to entice the ears; every facet of the band is working in tandem and never vying for the spotlight, which is evenly distributed. Equal attention has been paid to every part, from lead and bass guitar to drums, vocals and synth - it’s clear much thought has been put into the production. Edgy without making you cringe, the lyrics are funny and relatable - “our egos are losing / the bar is closing” - a sting for anyone who’s ever drunkenly copped off with a stranger.
We're treated to the chorus twice, and it's one that will grow on you. Pleading with their would-be-lover, a yearning last line of "I want you to say" repeats thrice before the track abruptly finishes for maximum impact, leaving us to wonder: What is it that VG wants to hear from their mystery conquest and where was the rest of the night heading? We'll never know.
Left very much wanting more, the single is a perfect length at 2:21 and this was a near-spotless introduction to VENUS GRRRLS. I will definitely be checking out their 2021 EP Potions; if future releases are also of this quality, I foresee a bright future for the angsty Leeds quintet.
In conclusion, I am absolutely adding this track to one of my Spotify mixes, which as a serial playlist maker is a compliment of the highest order. For the curious, it’ll probably go in 'aaaAAAAAAAH' - the one I stick on when I’m angry and need a good thrash around. Nestled alongside the likes of Kate Nash, Bikini Kill, Paramore and Sleater-Kinney, 'Violet State of Mind' feels right at home with this brand of unapologetically feminist rock ‘n roll.
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