The fun and energetic garage-pop sound of Du Blonde’s latest album, Solitary Individual (featuring Laura Jane Grace from Against Me!), may seem like a celebration of enjoying your own company, but it also offers a glimpse into the world of its creator, Beth Jeans Houghton from Newcastle. Following in the DIY footsteps of her well-received third album, Homecoming (2021), Sniff More Gritty is a project almost entirely crafted by Houghton herself, with the exception of a few drum parts. Embracing a strong sense of independence, Du Blonde’s fourth album proudly rejects conformity and embraces a unique outsider perspective.
Two standout tracks on the album – the rebellious TV Star and Next Big Thing (featuring Skin from Skunk Anansie) – deliver scathing critiques of various unpleasant characters. The former explores themes of excess and disappointment, while the latter offers a damning commentary on the music industry (“He only touched you a few times/ So why does it bother you?”). Despite the confrontational nature of these songs, the overall vibe of the album, with its free-flowing riffs and catchy melodies, exudes a sense of joy in breaking free from societal expectations and reveling in the freedom of being true to oneself.