Almost precisely 12 months ago, Boston’s noisiest/funkiest/most fertile post-post-punk outfit Birthing Hips spawned their self-released debut, No Sorry. And now, it seems the happy quartet is once again expecting! That’s right: Birthing Hips have a bouncing baby album on the way called Urge to Merge, and this time it’s with the backing of the lovely folks at NNA Tapes. Mazel tov!
According to totally unbiased press copy, the new album “continues [the band’s] ruthless trajectory into more aggressive, yet more refined, territory,” with lyrical themes that “range from menacing to sarcastic to existential, reflective of a person pushed to their boiling point in the face of social bullshit and modern injustice.” It also draws on jazz-informed guitar work, pop melodies, and a punky, self-destructive sensibility for an altogether eclectic sound that could truly be said to have won the “genetic lottery” (which is coincidentally the name of my Boston-based, underground post-punk collective).
So, if you want to give this thing an ultrasound or something listen to a preview track, scroll on down below and check out the carnal absurdity of “Droplet” alongside the album’s full tracklisting. And don’t forget to pre-order Urge to Merge on NNA Tapes’ Bandcamp page before the due date on November 17. Now, if you would, please excuse me — I have a baby shower to plan!
Urge to Merge tracklisting:
01. No Pressure
02. Belly Please
03. Strip Tease
04. I Want This Place Impeccable
05. Internet
06. Shut Up and Leave Me Alone
07. Sludge
08. HEP
09. 24 Million Views
10. Droplet
11. A Wish