We are used to artists emerging from under a known band moniker to make music under their own name; it happens all the time. But when an artist swaps their given name to work within a band title, then it is because they are deliberately making a point.
In the case of Katy Vernon, transitioning to the almost exclusively female-driven Favourite Girl and, especially, the choice of name, is the act of her backing herself, remembering who she makes music for, and finally realizing that chasing the patriarchal stamp of the music industry is not the way it should be. This is the sound of an artist taking on the Old Boys’ Network whilst simultaneously having a lot of fun. Feminist Resistance Rock? Absolutely.
But, given such a stance, don’t expect this debut album from the new musical vehicle to be a serious and uptight affair, anything but. The messages are there, often more personal insights which, when taken as a whole, deliver a clear and rebellious point of view, but the album is first and foremost about songs. Great songs at that.
As soon as “Thank You” kicks into gear, it sets out the stall perfectly: a pop-infused rocker, sax-soaked and full-out shouty, stabby gang-vocal interludes, poised, pacy and near-perfect! “Not Going Back” approaches the same territory armed with crunchy guitars, brilliant dynamic ebbs and flows, and super-smooth vocals.
And then there are tracks like “Confetti” full of life, punk drive meets pop finesse and reminiscent of the whole “blonde pop” scene of the early nineties UK – if you like bands like The Darling Buds back in the day, you will love this. The album rounds off with the title track, a great summation, lyrically and sonically, of what has gone before, a perfect last word on the matter.
You could say that the album is a fresh start, a new chapter, a reflection, and a reckoning. A new path, a more focused point, or a realization that you don’t have to play by the rules. Say what you want about Favourite Girl, but you can’t say that it isn’t an album full to the brim of exciting, infectious, and exquisitely crafted songs.
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