ALBUM REVIEW: Film Buff – Sløtface

Fronted by the live-wire Haley Shea, Norwegian punk band SLØTFACE tackle stereotypes, expectations, and gender roles amongst many other issues through the lens of films on their new album Film Buff. Since their formation in 2012, SLØTFACE have built up a community of fans in their home country and beyond, especially after the release of their debut album Try Not To Freak Out in 2017, which they followed in 2020 with their sophomore album Sorry For The Late Reply. After the pandemic and a line-up change, SLØTFACE are back with their new album and the world is their oyster.

Despite clocking in at less than half an hour, SLØTFACE prove that quality over quantity is the best way to go about things. Whether it is the pull-no-punches opener I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit, the rock-influenced Leading Man, or the synth-rock of Final Gørl, the band show that they can expand out from their punk sound. Whilst the energy in the latter songs slightly impact the pacing, the high-energy Ladies Of The Fight and bass-heavy Lift Heavy pick things up.

There are also songs, like I Confess, I Guess, which are more sombre, but don’t affect the pacing as there is a great balance between the upbeat and the slower-paced. Sonically, the album hops all over the place, from rock (Charlie Calls) to acoustic (Tired Old Dog) to punk (The Great Escape).

But it’s the lyrics that are the real stand-out. As the album is inspired by films, there are some nods to famous movies throughout. However, they do not become overwhelming or cliché. Instead, they are cleverly mixed in with the lyrics, which are uniquely original. Whether it is the aforementioned Tired Old Dog, which sees Shea imagine herself as a tired policewoman, or the closing acoustic-turned-rock song Confessions Of A Car Crash, which is a raw song that is heartbreakingly honest, there is something for everyone here.

Overall, Film Buff isn’t just for film buffs; it’s a fantastic album that pushes the boundaries of what punk music can sound like, and the lyrics are fantastic. The album proves that quality over quantity is the best as all 11 songs stand on their own and work as a collective. Although the pacing of the album starts out a little rough by having two slow-paced songs in a row after a brilliant in-your-face opener, the rest of it is a perfect blend of fast and slower-paced songs. But it is in the lyrics where the album shines the most, expertly tackling difficult issues whilst also leaving in nods to famous films without being didactic. If you’re looking for a fresh new take on punk music, then Film Buff by  SLØTFACE is the one for you.

Rating: 9/10

Film Buff is out now via Propeller Recordings.

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