Celebrating the unmitigated positivity of Death Valley Girls’ empowerment anthems is a new split 7” that teams the band up with alt rock firebrands Le Butcherettes for a far-out interpretation of “The Universe” and a liberating new track, “When I’m Free.”
Known for their hard hitting, muscular brand of raucously independent alt rock, Le Butcherettes take a detour into relatively uncharted territory for their hypnotic spin on “The Universe,” distilling the track down to its barest elements and building layers of vocal tracks into an off kilter acapella accented by sparse acoustic guitar that recalls the compact weirdness of Queens Of The Stone Age’s “I Was A Teenage Hand Model.” By comparison, Death Valley Girls’ original track is massive in scope, a kaleidoscopic wonderland that glitters and shimmers with the eternal wonder of nebulas flecked with a billion stars, a radio transmission conveying the warmth of humanity into the deepest reaches of the void, a singular declaration of existence and unity for any who can hear.
In that sense, Le Butcherettes’ “The Universe” becomes a response to Death Valley Girls’ heavenly chorus, a message from beyond humanity’s reach, bounced off the rings of distant planets and compressed through wormholes to arrive on Earth humming through the static of a portable AM radio into the ears of a solitary listener spread out on the hood of a car parked in the desert, eyes gazing upwards at the incomparable magnificence of The Milky Way. “The Universe” is at once both alien and familiar, the sound of a common thread that connects all life from this planet to the next into a never-ending tapestry of existence born from stardust itself, scattered across the lightyears to seed beauty amongst the expanse. The message is the same even if the accent is different, the universally understood power of freedom and love.
Opening with a vocal harmony and a jazzy piano riff that would be right at home on a Screamadelica-era Primal Scream track, Death Valley Girls populate the b-side with an all-new track that elevates the band’s signature blend of sunny self-actualization and gritty garage rock to anthemic new heights while remaining laser focused on inner peace and personal empowerment. Perhaps most emblematic of this is the Glastonbury-sized guitar solo courtesy of His Royal Shredness Sir Larry Schemel that closes out the track with enough Big Britpop Energy to make even Noel Gallagher nod in approval. A resounding monument to skillful confidence that trades bombast for modesty without sacrificing an ounce of raw substance.
“When I’m Free” is built around a mantra of affirmation disguised as a chorus; “what’s meant to be happens to me when I’m free!,” a powerful reminder that shedding the encumberments of negativity and addressing the importance of good mental health has become a core tenant of Death Valley Girls’ gospel. “One concept that has really been helping during the daily struggle is the perspective shift – that things aren’t ‘happening to me,’ they’re ‘happening for me.’” says Death Valley Girls’ Bonnie Bloomgarden. “Sometimes if you can, squint your eyes, alter your view, try to see experiences as opportunities to learn and grow! Sometimes that’s the best we can do!”
“The Universe” b/w “When I’m Free” is available now as a limited split 7” vinyl via Suicide Squeeze. Follow Le Butcherettes and Death Valley Girls on Instagram.
