I can’t understand most of the lyrics in Deli Girls’ newest single “Abortion”, off their upcoming album I Don’t Know How To Be Happy. But what I can get out of it seems to be plenty. “You operate… Rage… Lies… You’re lying!”. It comes out jumbled and gravelly and fueled by… well… rage.
The song sounds about right coming from an album whose very title proclaims an inability to access positivity. But that’s the thing about punk, even a strange, modern electro-punk that could only exist in 2019 – It’s relatable, even if its very tune (or lack thereof) seems to shun relatability.
In this climate of political turmoil, where no one can be trusted (not the internet, not the news, not even our Romaine lettuce), who doesn’t feel angry and deceived?
Punk music was never about the crashing cymbals and screaming leather clad youths who created it, it was about creating something real and authentic in a world where everything seemed like a pre-programmed ode to propaganda. Punk music became popular in the ’70s, 50 years later it has staying power because we still crave something real. That’s what Deli Girls is delivering to us, amid the impossible to understand lyrics and slightly unpleasant lack of melody.
The single is called “Abortion”, I can’t say that I know why Deli Girls chose that title, but as a listener, it makes sense. My generation likes to make jokes about their desire to go back and never have been born (we tend to laugh at these jokes, despite their inherent darkness). Every day I open up my laptop, take a look at the news and feel like the past 4 years or so are a mission that should have been aborted before they came to pass.
It’s dark, It’s unpleasant, and it is strangely true. Just like Deli Girls’ “Abortion”. I might listen to this track until my ears bleed.
Deli Girls ‘I Don’t Know How To Be Happy’ is out Feb 22 via Sweat Equity