There’s nothing soft about M(h)aol’s second album. Something Soft (Merge) immediately charges into thorny terrain with its opening note. Feminist themes remain at the forefront, like on “DM:AM,” which addresses how men often demand constant availability from women.
The Irish band laid a strong foundation with their Gender Studies EP and especially with their debut album Attachment Styles. Their take on post-punk was already diverse, laced with elements of noise and indie rock—unsettling, yet groovy. Their new record picks up right where they left off, but with even sharper focus and intent.
This time around, the music is more refined and precise—nothing feels excessive. M(h)aol also expand their sonic range. After bouts of nerve-wracking catchiness, “Vin Diesel” ventures into experimental dissonance, while “Clementine” even flirts with industrial techno.
The songs often alternate between airy interludes and dense, buzzing soundscapes—imagine a plush bunny wrapped in barbed wire, and you’re close. “1-800-Call-Me-Back” rides a telephone keypad beat into a slow boil, while “Coda” dives into a subterranean club where screams echo up through the floor.
M(h)aol – Something Soft: A fierce and intelligent post-punk statement. – RIFL