Something Soft, the second full-length album by Irish post-punk firebrands M(h)aol, is anything but. From the first note of its propulsive opening track to the distorted cries of its last, Something Soft feels antagonistic to the very concept of softness, sonically and thematically, taking an unapologetic approach to intersectional feminism, animal welfare, consumerism, and the struggle to find a place in a world lacking in empathy. What M(h)aol offers is catharsis, in two forms: the kind you get from being open with others, and the kind you get from righteously smashing some shit up. Effectively channelling rage and empathy is an act of resilience, and to make Something Soft, M(h)aol had to become especially resilient. Following their acclaimed debut Attachment Styles, M(h)aol's line-up changed, settling on the core trio of Constance Keane (drums/vocals, she/her), Jamie Hyland (bass/vocals, she/her), and Sean Nolan (guitar, he/him). That process changed the band's approach to songwriting and performing, resulting in an unexpected breakthrough where many groups have folded. For those who've come to recognize themselves in M(h)aol's songs, listening to Something Soft is like jumping into a long-running chat thread, full of fury and humor. For those who haven't, the door is open Something Soft's thrills often turn on a dime towards introspection, as in "Snare " where Keane's response to the question "Why not play something soft like piano or violin? " resolves itself to one of her own: "Did you ask him too? " It's not a lecture or a snide rebuke but something much more deft: an invitation to see the world for what it really is, starting with the listener.Dinked 334 Opaque baby blue vinyl * "I Miss My Dog " embroidered patch * Art print * Limited pressing of 450 * *EXCLUSIVE to Dinked Edition
