PINS- Wild Nights Review

Faith Holgate’s brainchild to form an all-female rock group in 2011 in response to not wishing to become “a female token” in an all-male band has certainly paid off. PINS' second album, Wild Nights, is a smooth yet spikier follow-up to their debut effort, Girls Like Us. Where elegant harmonies and languishing lyrics accompany resounding guitar riffs, the Manchester quintet are sure to stand out as a post-punk outfit rather than simply another Indie band.

The opening track ‘Baby Bhangs’'s trudging drum and distinctive guitar line are coupled with Holgate’s sassy lyrics and the band’s swooning harmonies. Next up is a much mellower ‘Young Girls’ where the band’s signature stomping drum is lightened by lyrics which include “Wouldn’t it be fun to kiss everyone?” and is followed by the jangling guitar tune 'Curse These Dreams'. Holgate sing-talks her way through 'Oh Lord' culminating in reverberating guitar and drum riffs contrasting with the youthful 'Dazed by you'.

'Got it bad' and 'Everyone Says' are characterised by a more subdued strumming style and blander lyrics with the former track’s dissipating guitar making it fade out too quickly. These more refined tracks are saved by the grungy garage-like 'Too little too late' with bitter lyrics “I forgot to say happy birthday/I hope I didn’t ruin your party” reminiscent of cited influences, the Courtney Love led, Hole. The notable 'House of Love' and suggestive 'Molly' inspire the album’s title as Holgate chants “wild nights with Molly/You’ve got a hold on me”

With bands like Haim being more and more influenced by pop,Wild Nights shows how PINS are a vivacious punk group where the label "Girl Band" will never be allowed to stick.

KEY TRACK: Too Little Too Late

Rating: 3.5/5