Published by Melissa Lynne Strain on April 13, 2019
Featuring exclusively female artists or acts with a strong female presence, ¡Escúchame, Cabrón! is the third release from Berlin-based cassette label Italian Olympics. Not only does the 10 track tape highlight the amazing female artists present in the often male dominated world of industrial and synth music, but it is also aims to show solidarity with the feminist movement happening in Spain at the moment and to bring attention to the systemic violence and oppression of women that is still happening in the country today, as well as around the world.
In our previous interview with Ryan Kent, owner of Italian Olympics, he described himself as somewhat of a hispanophile, with Spain being a country that he holds close to his heart. Despite it being a privileged society, unfortunately it still has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality. In 2017 there was a 16% increase in reports of gender violence than the year before, with more than 166,000 annual abuse complaints and an average of one women dying as a result of domestic violence per week. Other alarming problems include cross-examinations in
rape trials and gang rape cases being downgraded to sexual assault.
¡Escúchame, Cabrón! means Listen to me, bastard! in Spanish, an appropriate title for this powerful release, where minimal wave and power electronics meet with punk aesthetics and female angst, radiating an attitude that is reminiscent of the 90s riot grrrl movement. The ten track tape is a perfect curation of different energies and influences that all come together to tell a story of adversity, rebellion and woman power.
Side A focuses on minimal and cold wave inspired sounds, starting off with Moh by Leere, a nostalgic track with deadpan vocals and then a retro and ritualistic offering by Cadena Nacional. Next is a stripped back and hypnotic track from Slow Glass featuring spoken word and icy synthesizers, and Run away by Synths Versus Me, is a dark and driving take on minimal wave with frantic percussion. Sopoorific then ends Side A with alluringly sad yet strangely danceable Paralysis.
Side B showcases the more industrial, noise and power electronics leaning side of Italian Olympics. Sun Dogs, the duo project of Tara in Tibet and Sopoorific open with SOIDE, a melancholic and introspective track that features angsty female vocals over a propulsive rhythm, before Morgane Metal’s electro-tinged Dommage fatale, and Delusion, a dark and swampy track by Egzotikka ft Tricky. Then things head in a harsher direction with two raw and industrial pieces from by Argentinian femme fatale Golpe Erotico, and Netherland’s experimental noise
making duo Baglover.
¡Escúchame, Cabrón! is available on exclusively cassette format, adding to the riot grrrl vibe of the release, and comes with a choice of three different artworks.
Label: Italian Olympics
Rating: 9 / 10