On 2018's vibrant
Sorpresa Familia
,
Mourn
celebrated the end of the label issues that hampered them from playing and promoting their music. However, they're still frustrated by plenty of other things -- capitalism, the patriarchy, relationships -- and on
Self Worth
, they tackle them head-on. Somehow, they sound even more liberated on these songs than they did on
.
is filled with big guitars and even bigger harmonies, both of which fuel the pure cathartic joy of "This Feeling Is Disgusting," where the band acknowledges the general awfulness of things by shouting "it sucks!"
Jazz Rodriguez Bueno
and
Carla Perez Vas
' vocals ring out boldly and brightly here and on "It's a Frog's World," where their fierce, gorgeous interplay reaffirms how they excel at transforming their frustrations into something beautiful.
don't just raise their voices on
; they also raise the volume of their music. New drummer
Victor Alvarez Ridao
is a worthy addition to the group, providing a whomping backbeat for the chaos the rest of the band unleashes on "Stay There" and taking the spotlight on "I'm in Trouble," a knotty portrait of self-absorption. On "Worthy Mushroom"'s taut expression of existential dread in a world where a person's value is measured by money, the nagging guitar hook sounds like the only thing keeping
Bueno
Vas
grounded. The confidence that courses through
is matched by
's unguarded songwriting. They don't mince words on scathing songs like "Apathy" and "Men," where they sing "in their eyes, I am meat."
also take time to honor the moments and people that give them strength on "Gather, Really," a short, sharp tribute to the times that "help us keep going." Knowing your value and demanding respect are some of the most punk things women can do, and on
do both with fiery eloquence. ~ Heather Phares