Brooklyn based rock foursome The Dutch Kills featuring guitarist and vocalist Julia Kley, guitarist Alec Berry, bassist Maxine McCormick, and drummer Heather Jensen are not only channelling their inner rock girl rage but also their inner riot grrl with their debut EP, The Rot (January 27th).
Fueled by the fallout of being in love, The Rot reminds me of 90s female fronted rock bands like Hole, Veruca Salt, Breeders and more. When women were driven by attitude, rage, and a bit of fuck you.
While The Dutch Kills might have formed at the start of 2023, The Rot and the band come across as a tightly woven band that’s been together decades instead of just a year.
The opening song, “Dangerous” is quintessential 90s rock with a thunderous bass riff, crunchy guitars, and gritty vocals. Continuing the rock is “Counter”, the song is a wonderful mix of punk attitude and rage rock. The infectious and intense rhythm of Maxine and Heather on their respective instruments allow Julia and Alec to sail through the music as if they were in a coordinated mosh pit.
The downtempo “The Bitter Start” showcases a softer side of The Dutch Kills and another side of Julia’s vocal range. I can hear echoes of Brodie Dale, Courtney Love, and even Adele. The music is an ear catching fusion of rock and dare I say some jazzy feeling drums that are catchy as hell.
Title track, “The Rot” is the star of the album. It best showcases who The Dutch Kills are as a band. A gritty rock band that will sucker punch you in the gut with their sound and then kick you in the teeth with their lyrics.
Purging the aches of a relationship, The Rot proves that despite being a young band The Dutch Kills is one part wild fervour and one part sticky rock, but one hundred percent masters at controlling the chaos that is rock-n-roll.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Counter”, “The Bitter Start”, “The Rot”
The Rot will be out January 27th.
