Self-released, 21 January 2022
NC17 have Nasty Habits of putting together ridiculously catchy hooks on their new album.
So I got home from work and was looking at the TGEFM news posts for the day and noticed a premiere of an album called Nasty Habits by a female-fronted band called NC17, from Richmond, Virginia. I don’t know why, but my first guess was that they were a hardcore band. However, when I clicked the link, I noticed words like bubblegum and chainsaw pop and decided to dive in. Those are the types of descriptors that work on me. Soon, I was compelled to write this up.
Nasty Habits is first and foremost melodic and dripping with hooks. Opener “Killer Show” has oodles of energy and Yani’s lead vocals are full of attitude and angst. Coupled with some backing vocals (including some really cool staccato bursts) that add layers and harmony and a driving propulsion, the song goes down real swell. Follow-up “Something’s Different” plays around with a real bounce and more fantastic lead and backing vocal interplay. The song structure is also just right, with different parts that transition smoothly from one to another, all making sense but not seeming anything approaching obvious. “Come Over” is a little more mid-tempo and the vocals stretch out a bit on the melody, reminding me a bit of The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde. The music is melodic and dynamic, showing range that goes from chiming to buzzing and quiet to loud. When it makes room for the bass, the bass line shines. And when the lead guitar turns up, it drops another hummable hook. So far, so good.
The second half of Nasty Habits doesn’t let up either. “Front Girl” is another hook-laden song with some of my favorite “whoa-oh-uh-oh” backing vocals and when the drums go double-time for just a quick phrase, it knocks me out. The next one, “Raise Your Glass”, really lets the vocals stretch out again and I’m especially charmed by the “it’s up, it’s down” lead/backing vocal back-and-forth. It’s more catchy goodness. Closer “Party’s Over” opens up with something close to late-night solemnity in the opening moments, reminding me of something from a NOFX record, I think. But then the full band kicks in and kicks up a racket, sorting out a tale of an evening of abandon and hopeful that they’ll make it through without scars. I love the slowed part slightly past two minutes before it all closes out with a bit of nostalgia and no trace of regret. It proves a fitting end to a fun record.
Nasty Habits is a good time. This might be NC17’s debut, but they’ve got a good thing going with their memorable songs and buzzing sounds. I wasn’t looking for this, but I’m happy with what I found.
Favorite song: “Killer Show”
Favorite moment: the vocal back-and-forth on “Raise Your Glass”
Favorite whatever else: the band’s shifts on “Something’s Different” keep my attention
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
