[REVIEW] GRLwood's new album, "I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12" featured on Vanyaland
Unforgettable screams echo on the first track of GRLwood’s new record I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12 (released today, August 2). “Be nice to sad boys / or else, get shot” singer and guitarist Rej Forester retches with a throaty gurgle on “Get Shot,” a testament to the wide range of ways gun violence can pose a threat in everyday life. Later on the scream-punk album, Forester simplifies the message on “Donald:” “I am afraid for my body.” Simply put, the Louisville, Kentucky duo have a way of never mincing words when it comes down to denouncing misogynistic bullshit. Combined with a knack for pairing kinda surf-y licks with hardcore vocals, I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12 packs all the power of a sojourn with Satan himself. Wade through the heavy new album below.
[NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY] GRLwood - "I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12"
OUT NOW! GRLwood’s Highly Anticipated New Album FromSonaBLAST!, “I SOLD MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL WHEN I WAS 12” 👉https://sl.onerpm.com/5840517306
[VIA KERRANG MAGAZINE] GRLWOOD HOLD NOTHING BACK ON THEIR FIERCE NEW ALBUM
GRLWOOD HOLD NOTHING BACK ON THEIR FIERCE NEW ALBUM
Exclusive: GRLwood’s sophomore effort, I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12, is their punkest release yet.
WORDS: Danielle Chelosky and Chris Krovatin
PHOTO: Mickie Winters
Scream pop duo GRLwood are here to bring the ruckus. With the amazingly abrasive new album, I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12, the two self-described ‘Kentucky-fried queercore punks’ emanate rebellion and nonconformity on track like Fuck Me Up, I’m Having Sex Tonight, and I Hate My Mom. Not only that, but they also fearlessly fight for their rights on political anthems, such as the confrontational first track Get Shot, on which they deadpan: “Mama said, ‘Be nice to sad boys or else get shot’ / ‘Say yes sir to a cop or else get shot.’”
We caught up with GRLwood for a quick chat about their brutal coming-of-age tale.
Can you tell us about where the title of the album came from?
12 is such a turning point, because childhood begins to vanish and people start to treat you differently. You start making decisions for yourself and begin to realize who you are…then blood starts falling out of you.
What goes into your unique brand of angry noise-rock? What aspects of society inform your pissed-off sound?
*hand gestures to everythang* We live in a toxic climate that four years ago sounded like an internet meme that would never happen. We are a product of our environment and there is a lot to be angry about.
How does I Sold My Soul… differ from your previous album, Daddy? What has been the biggest change for you guys sound-wise?
I Sold My Soul is a continuation of Daddy, like a younger sibling. They are alike in both discussing modern queerdom/American sociopolitcal issues, but this album has a far more diverse sound. Our heavy songs got heavier and our pretty songs got prettier. We’ve widened the spectrum of the loud-soft dynamic.
You’re playing the Gathering Of The Juggalos this year — how do you think your music connects with the average ICP listener?
We are SO excited to play the Gathering! GRLwood and juggalos are alike because we are both seen as freaks and outcasts by society. Juggalo culture is about coming together and supporting each other, and we are all about that. We’re gonna get really weird together, and it’s gonna be fucking great. We’re tryna swim in the Faygo.
Check out our exclusive stream of GRLwood’s explosive new album below:
GRLwood’s I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12 comes out tomorrow via sonaBLAST! Records, and is available for preorder.
GRLwood featured in Rolling Stone Magazine for their explosive set at Forecastle '19!
Forecastle Festival 2019: 10 Best Things We Saw
Best Locals: GRLwood
Hotly tipped local duo GRLwood stormed the ‘Castle Friday afternoon with a revelatory set of visceral, satirical, societal norm-shattering punk rock. Receiving a hero’s welcome from the in-the-know hometown crowd, singer-guitarist Rej Forester and drummer Karen Ledford quickly got the not-yet-initiated up to speed. GRLwood write songs relating to the young, queer experience, but also the struggle just to exist, with a caustic sense of humor and an innate knack for melody. A curious amalgam of tricky surf riffs, Nineties emo dynamics and sparser, more dirge-like elements, the group’s depth and range is uncanny for a scrappy two-piece — no boys, no bass — formed less than two years ago. Forester’s vocal control is a marvel, shifting on a dime from a mournful moan to an operatic tremble and, when the songs really get going, a slasher-movie scream. And the catchiest tune of their set isn’t even out yet — “I Hate My Mom,” off I Sold My Soul to the Devil When I Was 12, due August 2nd — but had the whole crowd shouting along by the second chorus, the mark of an instant classic. —Rolling Stone
