Say Psych: Album Review: Singapore Sling – Kill Kill Kill (Songs About Nothing)

Formed back in 2000 in Iceland, Singapore Sling have become a name synonymous with disjointed psychedelic rock; their influence spreading far and wide from their small home island, touching nearly every fabric of the neo-psych scene. In their 16 years they have brought their renowned brand of nihilistic rock and roll to sell out venues, become a prominent presence on psych fest line ups as well as being considered one of Iceland’s leading exports in underground music.

Having shot to public prominence in 2002 with The Curse of Singapore Sling, they followed this with album after album of enticingly dark psychedelia, a nod to the fact that their home spends a considerable amount of time bathed in it. Life is Killing my Rock ‘N’ Roll came in 2004, before Taste the Blood of Singapore Sling – 2005. A four year hiatus followed before three albums in three years sprung forth; Perversity, Desperation and Death – 2009, Singapore Sling Must Be Destroyed – 2010 and Never Forever – 2011.

Since 2014, they have churned out three more albums; The Tower of Foronicity – 2014, Psych Fuck – 2015 and now Kill Kill Kill (Songs About Nothing). Their latest LP is scheduled for release on Fuzz Club Records on 2^nd February 2017.

Opening with ‘Shake Shake Shake’, atonal vocals juxtapose against the western-tinged guitar harmonies and jangly keyboard ditty; this album begins very much where the previous LP left off. ‘Scum Scum Scum’ is haunting with its shrouded vocals, swirling effects and high pitched keyboard repetition, the introduction of female vocals plays in nice contrast to those of Henrik. ‘Fuck Everything’ has a lighter feel overall and allows a breathe and even a head nod. ‘Bop Bop Boo’ has a menacing drum beat and lashings of fuzz to accompany the swagger contained within this track creating an uncharacteristically upbeat vibe.

The first single taken from the album ‘Evil Angel’ is undoubtedly the stand out track of the album with its effected guitar riffs and added brass section. Repetition is used effectively within this track as whilst the varying elements are fundamentally simple, their combination and positioning give them power. Claps and repeated lyrics see the track to an end, in what can easily be argued to be one of their best tracks in years. ‘Sonic Haus’ is an entirely different beast, with its noise fuzz opening and edgier stance.

‘Surrounded by Cunts’ has an air of added horror with its stark violin bursts complementing the sharpness of the lyrics. Title track ‘Kill Kill Kill’ ‘s vocal harmonies are refreshing and the overall feel is very similar to the much lauded ‘You Drive Me Insane’ from Psych Fuck. ‘Nothing and Nowhere’ is the ballad of the album, if Singapore Sling are capable of such a thing that is, with its slower tempo, thought evoking lyrics, whistling and twinkling. ‘Nuthing’s Theme’ is chosen to bow it and sticks with the melodic and orchestral them which ‘Nothing and Nowhere’ started, this time with added percussion and Eastern inspired floating notes.

An album featuring some of the most interesting choices of song titles, Singapore Sling give the impression that they are past caring what people think and do what they want to do, when they want to do it, and with some sixteen years experience and nine full LP releases – who is going to tell them not too? However, on listening to the album its clear this is not the case, each track is orchestrated with care and precision and fundamentally represents a band at the peak of their musical abilities.