Gut Health‘s debut album Stiletto isn’t just another dance-punk record. It’s a captivating exploration of tension, uncertainty, and communal release. For fans who’ve followed the Naarm/Melbourne sextet since their EP Electric Party Chrome Girl, the album shows the band’s growth into something even more immersive and unpredictable. Across the ten tracks, Stiletto offers up a rollercoaster of sounds, groove-heavy rhythms, and sharp guitar interplay that makes it more than worth the listen.
What makes Stiletto stand out is its ability to create movement. Both literal and emotional. The six members of Gut Health come from varied musical backgrounds that range from jazz and folk to punk and R&B. Their diverse influence bleeds into the album, with tracks like “Cool Moderator” delivering bratty, groove-driven beats while “Separate States” builds an atmosphere thick with sonic tension. The back-and-forth between Eloise and Dom’s guitars keeps listeners on edge, as the duo’s improvisations create angular and often unexpected musical shifts. It’s a sound that resists easy classification and pushes beyond typical punk or dance formulas into something more dynamic.
The sense of unpredictability is intentional. Gut Health doesn’t want you to settle into the comfort of knowing what’s coming next. Each song plays with one’s expectations and keeps them engaged and curious. There’s a raw energy here that is driven by a shared love of creating, exploring, and pushing boundaries within their music.
The power of space and sound is a significant part of Stiletto’s allure and it comes from its inventive production. Recorded across various spaces from warehouses to rehearsal rooms to homes, the album makes use of its environment to create a sense of expansiveness. The APAX warehouse, in particular, provided a natural reverb that gives the tracks an almost eerie, open-air quality, letting the sound breathe. Producer Julian Cue and Portland-based engineer Evan Mersky utilised reel-to-reel tape machines to bring a warm and compressed feel to the record that adds an organic texture to the band’s already multi-layered approach. The result is an album that feels alive and fluid. Its sonic palette is filled with echoes and natural spaces that pull one deeper into its world. The shifting environments add to the sense of uncertainty Gut Health thrives on, inviting one to feel as if they’re part of something raw and unfinished, in the best way possible.
While filled with groovy bangers, Stiletto carries weighty themes. Addressing issues like the myths surrounding Australia, the empowerment of marginalised communities, and the significance of listening and sharing, Stiletto and Gut health do not shy away from social commentary, but both do so without being heavy-handed. There’s a personal connection between the music and the listener that invites reflection rather than dictating a specific message. Tracks like “Juvenile Retention” and “Memory Foam” provide plenty of space for one to interpret and find their own meaning in the chaos and groove.
This thoughtful yet hands-off approach allows Stiletto to resonate with anyone who enjoys music that challenges them to think as well as move. There’s something universally human in the way Gut Health navigates these complexities. They provide a sound that speaks to the transient and unpredictable nature of life itself.
Gut Health’s Stiletto offers a fresh, engaging, and wild ride through dance-punk territory that is driven by its chaotic yet carefully crafted sound. The album’s unique blend of musical styles, combined with the band’s commitment to keeping one on their toes, makes it a must-listen for anyone craving something more adventurous. Whether you’re drawn in by the pulsing beats or the intricate guitar work, Stiletto will keep you hooked from start to finish.
