M(h)aol announce debut EP Gender Studies with powerful film noir video

Intersectional feminist post-punk band M(h)aol are back with a bang, announcing their forthcoming EP Gender Studies today - accompanied by a film noir music video for the title track.

Currently based between Dublin, London, and Bristol; M(h)aol is composed of Róisín Nic Ghearailt, Constance Keane aka Fears, Jamie Hyland (AKA Girl Band’s ‘Holding Hands With Jamie’), Zoe Greenway, and Sean Nolan.

Together, the band aim to shake up the male dominated post-punk scene with their urgent, shadowy sounds.

The Irish outfit's debut EP Gender Studies will land digitally on 29th October with a limited edition Dinked vinyl arriving on 14th January via Tulle.

The EP's brilliant title track is a response to how gender changes throughout our lifetime, and how some people wish to force the gender binary upon others. It’s about going on a feminist journey where you become less palatable to wider society, but more palatable to yourself.

Earlier this year, M(h)aol released new single ‘Asking For It’ with an aim to dismantle the external and internal narratives that perpetuate the behaviours behind gender-based violence and victim-blaming. It was shared earlier than planned in light of the Sarah Everard murder, with all profits donated to Women’s Aid Ireland, a charity who aim to end domestic violence against women and children.

The track followed on from previous offerings 'Clementine' (featuring guest vocals from Dara Kiely) and 2020's 'Laundries' - which concerned the historic systematic oppression of women in Ireland.

The power and economy in saying precisely what to needs to be said, when it needs to be said, is what has seen the five-piece labelled as the most vital voice in Irish punk – and post-punk, for that matter – pushing discourse forward with songs as razor-sharp as their message.

Gender Studies was recorded in just three days due to the band members' different locations, and covers topics such as violence against women, the misogynistic music scene in Ireland and the UK, and trying to navigate life outside of cis straight white male bubble.

On the EP, lead vocalist Róisín says, “Gender Studies weaves past and present in an exploration of how the construct of gender shapes our lives. From feeling like you're not performing your gender right to the way it shapes how we move through the physical, sexual and romantic sphere it marries urgent lyrics with a threatening yet (blank) sound."

The 'Gender Studies' video uses images to suggest the constraints of gender roles and the expectations that come with it. This is contrasted with the internal frustration and anger of the song, and the faceless figures act as a frame for understanding and recognising the power of the individual's voice and action in continuing to resist systems of oppression.

Check out the video for 'Gender Studies' below, directed by Zoe Greenway:

Pre-order Gender Studies EP on 12” vinyl (out 15th January) via TULLE.

M(h)aol will be playing a small batch of dates in the UK this November, with tickets on sale now here.

1st November - Rough Trade, Bristol
2nd November - The Hug And Pint, Glasgow
3rd November - The Talleyrand, Manchester
4th November - The Shacklewell Arms, London

Photo credit: Susan Appleby