The Linda Lindas expand their musical horizons on GOTTA GET OUT.
Written by Eve Elliott
The Linda Lindas' third album shows the punk band breaking free of genre constraints and finding new, exciting ways to be heard. Ranging from new wave to Spanish-rock to hardcore, GOTTA GET OUT has something for everyone.
The common thread tying this eclectic collection of songs into an album is The Linda Lindas' ability to speak directly and clearly to their listeners. There’s no attempt to hide their feelings in veiled metaphors or sugarcoated language. Their lyrics are refreshingly honest and simple, emphasizing the importance of the message they’re conveying through the music.
Perhaps the best example of this is on the gritty metal track “Blood On Our Hands”. Bassist Eloise Wong screams over a dark, menacing guitar riff about the injustices she sees in the United States. At the end of the first verse, she sings, “And I don’t care about your wealth, I don’t care about your tax breaks/Nothing big or beautiful about a fascist state”. Her words are direct and targeted, sung with an invigoratingly fearless attitude. Wong then turns her attention towards the audience, asking, “Where do you stand?/Do you know where you stand?/We try to play it nice, but there’s blood on our hands”. Similar themes emerge on “Nothing Left”, where the band tackles climate change in the tech era. The Linda Lindas are a band that demands action and change, with a spirit that closely aligns with their riot grrrl predecessors.
Much like the riot grrrl bands of the 1990s, The Linda Lindas are a group of young women (ages 16-21) coming of age while fighting against a social and political climate that aims to keep them down. The group finds success in its ability to not only reflect the outside world but also allow listeners into their personal lives. Audiences, especially women, can connect with their feelings of angst and loneliness. The fifth track, “Closer”, is an ode to the unrelenting passage of time and all the excitement, dread, and pressure that comes with it. With an earworm-inducing chorus featuring the soaring vocals of Hayley Williams, “Closer” stands apart as one of the stronger tracks on the album.
“I Could Be Wrong” describes the all-too-familiar phenomenon of communication breakdowns ruining relationships. With a pop-punk sound and attitude, the song peaks with the lyrics “Your silence speaks louder than words ever could”. The Linda Lindas confront their personal struggles with the same passion and urgency with which they advocate for global struggles. It’s a distorted-guitar-infused diary entry from women who are in touch with themselves and the world.
GOTTA GET OUT glistens with polished production that somehow manages to maintain the raw emotion and nonstop energy of The Linda Lindas. The swapping of lead vocalists presents the band as a true collaborative effort. All four women give themselves a platform to be heard, bringing a sense of unity and DIY-ness to the music. The Linda Lindas have far to go, and GOTTA GET OUT is a clear step into further musical exploration.
