Millie Manders And The Shutup ‘Wake Up, Shut Up, Work’ Review. Brand New Album released on August 2nd
For eternity, well maybe a few decades, bands and songwriters have notoriously struggled with that dreaded, difficult second album. It appears Millie Manders And The Shutup didn’t receive that particular memo. The gloriously titled ‘Wake Up, Shut Up, Work’, confidently evolves and grows everything that made their 2020 debut ‘Telling Truths, Breaking Ties’ so great.
Uncompromising
This latest album is an uncompromising journey through life in a modern and often uncaring world. From the objectifying culture we’ve managed to construct around ourselves, the toil of toxic relationships and the numbing consequences of the daily grind. On ‘Wake Up…’ Millie’s seemingly effortless vocals are more powerful and melodic than ever, giving an authenticity to her hard hitting lyrics.
As Millie herself says “When I’m writing, it has to come from my gut. Things that trigger me one way or another emotively is how I write. All of it is geared towards something that has angered me, upset me, or made me feel like I need to speak.” The accompanying crunchy punk guitars and punchy ska-horns, create an overall sound that is impossible not to get drawn into. And consequently, the listener gets completely invested in each and every song. This is important, because these songs matter.
Unflinchingly direct
From the self reflection of opener ‘Angry Side’, through to closer ‘Pressure’, a song dealing with negative thoughts brought on through the repetitiveness of modern working life. The album also touches on some extremely sensitive but important subject matters. A personal standout on the album ‘Me Too’ tackles the self explanatory subject matter, in an unflinchingly direct way that makes it a stand up to a way of thinking and a system that’s stacked against the victim. Millie gives a powerful voice to those often without one, “For people who have been raped or abused, I want them to know that they’re not weak and it wasn’t their fault” says Millie. “And even if they didn’t get justice, they’ve been heard.”
Each song on ‘Wake Up, Shut Up, Work’ has a story to tell. We’re guided through the realities of the self perpetuating spiral that comes with financial problems in ‘Threadbare’, an absolute belter. ‘Can I Get Off?’ is a candid look at the state of global politics. Some tracks form a narrative with each other that create a mini-concept piece within the album. charting the emotional end to a relationship, through to the clarity and shift in perspective that finally comes with closure.
A Voice To The Exploited
Musically it’s relatively easy to break down Millie Manders And The Shutup into their styles and influences. But much more difficult to express in words is the unique way they’ve been combined. This creates something powerful, something that captures your attention and, like all truly great music, demands you live in the moment. Music that gives a voice to the exploited and makes you want to join in, as loudly as possible.
Tour Dates
Live, Millie Manders And The Shutup are a force unto themselves, so make sure you catch them on their upcoming tour
AUGUST
Tue 06 Kingston Banquet Records Instore @ 6.00 pm
Sat 24 Leeds Crash Records @ 12.00 noon
OCTOBER
Thu 24 Brighton Patterns
Fri 25 Southampton 1865
Sat 26 High Wycombe Arts Centre
Sun 27 Bedford Esquires
Thu 31 Birmingham Actress & Bishop
NOVEMBER
Fri 01 Bristol Thekla
Sat 02 Exeter Cavern
Sun 03 Sheffield Yellow Arch Studios
Wed 06 Hull New Adelphi
Thu 07 Newcastle Cluny 1
Fri 08 Manchester Club Academy
Sat 09 Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Sat 16 Norwich Waterfront
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