Shit Present's debut album ‘What Still Gets Me’ is an infectious blend of energy and emotion

Shit Present

It's been six long years since Shit Present's last EP. After three years battling writer's block, their debut album is among my favourites of the year. What Still Gets Me is a treasure trove of energy and emotion, sonically using tones that call back to the output of Sarah Records, but played at double speed with the force of a band that grew up idolising emo/pop-punk bands of the mid 2000s. 

Across 13 tracks, the West Country trio faces themes of anxiety, bipolar disorder, loneliness, depression and the infuriating abusers who refuse to acknowledge their own behaviour. It’s heavy subjects juxtaposed with infectious blend of emo-pop. Even-toned lead vocals and near-boppy melodies sitting firmly together with anger-fuelled lyrics. If you weren’t listening closely, you might think these were radio friendly bops, but give the band half a second of your time and you’ll find thoughtful reflection under layers of driving drums and distorted guitar.

On standout track “Voice In Your Head”, songwriter Iona Cairns exposes the extremes of living with bipolar disorder. "I could fucking destroy you or be your best friend," she screams. According to Cairns, this song is a textbook "I've been to therapy" anthem. 

"It really hit me like breaking news in 2016 that I am not my thoughts, and I might actually have some control over them. The melody was inspired by a song from the hit movie Josie and the Pussycats, and I composed it in my head at work before recording it on my phone in the toilet." 

“Voice In Your Head” serves as the blueprint of the whole album and it’s clear why it was the album preview track used ahead of release. 

In the title track, “What Still Gets Me”, Cairns teams up with Georgia McDonald from the late Camp Cope to unleash a tirade dedicated to the repugnant abusers who manipulate and evade responsibility for their harmful actions. You're familiar with these types—the ones who dismiss their behaviour as mere banter or role-play, shamelessly refusing to accept any accountability. As the guitars intensify throughout the track, Cairns and Georgia passCairnstely shed light on Cairns's personal encounters and call out society's alarming tendency to tolerate and accept feeble defences.

With “Fuck It”, first released in January, listeners are attacked right out of the gate with energetic, punky guitars. The band seems to revel in holding grudges, eagerly waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring up past wrongs and start fights. The track itself is unapologetically confrontational, capturing those last words that race through your mind before you lash out. Cairns describes it as a manic song about feeling the urge to argue with everyone you love and dredge up old issues.

What Still Gets Me is one of the most infectious albums I've come across this year, and it damn well deserves to be cranked up to full volume for all to hear. Look, why are you still reading this review? Go stream the album now on your chosen platform and revel in its greatness.