Music / Premieres
Video Premiere:
Slumlawwd - Withdrawn Failure
Words by James Lynch
Thursday 26th August, 2021



Following the announcement earlier this year that Brisbane trio Slumlawwd have signed to rising DIY label Off The List Records, today we have the pleasure of sharing a first look at the riotous new clip for their latest single ‘Withdrawn Failure’, a dose of the band’s relentless garage-punk mayhem.
If you’re not familiar with Slumlawwd, ‘Withdrawn Failure’ might come as a bit of an assault to the senses, with the band describing the track as “a portrait, a manifesto and a threat”. Clocking in at under two minutes, ‘Withdrawn Failure’ refuses to mess around, instantly gearing into a driving stomp with a grinding bassline and pummelling backbeat, while frontman Scott Mercer (aka Hunny Slums) steals the limelight with his rough and ready vocals amidst bursts of fiery guitar work.

‘Withdrawn Failure’ is thrillingly chaotic yet just as playful, as you can clearly tell how much fun the band are having; but beneath the track’s petulant attitude, there’s also an unnerving undercurrent bubbling from start to finish, and against the dark humour of Hunny’s lyrics as he disarmingly unravels his experiences of modern alienation, it’s an rousing statement that demands our full attention.

All in all, it’s an exciting first taste of the band’s forthcoming album Fuckberg which is set to drop later this year through Off The List Records, a Melbourne-based, access-friendly label, run by a collective of disabled artists and non-disabled allies. The label advocates for greater accessibility in the music scene and greater visibility of disability-led bands, like Slumlawwd. (Worth noting, the new clip for ‘Withdrawn Failure’ comes with optional subtitles for accessibility, and a link in the bio to a video description for anyone using a screenreader.) With a keen eye on indie, DIY and experimental acts - perhaps those whose music similarly intends to challenge and break barriers - they’re definitely ones to watch.

Slumlawwd’s forthcoming album Fuckberg will be out this October through Off The List Records. In the meantime, Brisbane fans can catch Slumlawwd with Some Jerks at The Bearded Lady on Friday September 3rd.
slumlawwd.bandcamp.com
@slumlawwd
Some Jerks w/ Slumlawwd Event Page


Slumlawwd Image Description (above): a pale image of three people standing in front of metal sheet fencing. The middle person smiles serenely with their arms around the shoulders of the other two people. The person on the right stares fiercely at the camera in a black shirt with the words 'Sleater-Kinney' on it. The person on the left is wears a Brooklyn Nets cap and a shirt with the words 'Hot Curl' on it.