A couple of years back Philadelphia's Queen of Jeans came out with their debut LP Dig Yourself and I liked it very much and said so on here. Now they're back with a second album, If you're not afraid, I'm not afraid and listening through to it for the first time it's having the same effect on me. They've cast a new spell.
Inspired, at least partially, by events in lead singer and main songwriter Miri's life, namely the passing of her mother and the 2016 American Election, the record is yet another defiant cultural kickback to prevailing American political winds. It's brave, unapologetic and quite resplendent.
These are anthems, but they're bruised and damaged ones, from the wrong side of the tracks. Picking up the trail from Shangri Las, Patti, Debbie and Kim Deal, the band have a sure melodic touch and can well and truly rock out when required. Each song is a cry from the heart, two handfuls of carefully crafted underground classics that Ezra Furman and Lana del Ray would doubtless doff their caps to.
Given the number of antecedents for what's going on here I've mentioned in the preceding paragraphs it seems that Queen of Jeans are taking a well worn path through the enchanted woods of outsider Rock and Roll. But the quality of the songwriting and the sheer unrestrained feeling they convey and maintain over the course of If you're not afraid, I'm not afraid lead me to recommend the record with only the slightest of caveats.
Perhaps a greater change of pace between songs next time round might be suggested but there's plenty of damaged romantic majesty on show here for fans of the form. Queen of Jeans understand that life offers almost unlimited opportunity for the dramatic gesture. Nothing to be afraid of here and plenty to relish.
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