Description
Porridge Radio – Every Bad – Vinyl Record
Every Bad is the second studio album by British indie rock band Porridge Radio, released on March 13, 2020, via Secretly Canadian. The album is widely regarded as a breakthrough for the band, earning critical acclaim for its emotional intensity, raw lyrics, and a dynamic blend of post-punk, indie rock, and lo-fi influences. Every Bad captures the turmoil of young adulthood, with themes revolving around self-doubt, emotional vulnerability, and the complexities of relationships.
Porridge Radio, led by singer-songwriter Dana Margolin, was formed in Brighton, England, in 2015. The band began as a solo project of Margolin, who recorded lo-fi demos in her bedroom before expanding the lineup to include drummer Sam Yardley, keyboardist Georgie Stott, and bassist Maddie Ryall. Porridge Radio’s DIY ethos and Margolin’s cathartic songwriting quickly garnered attention in the UK’s indie music scene.
After their debut album, ‘Rice, Pasta and Other Fillers’ (2016), which was a raw, home-recorded effort, the band began to develop a more refined sound. ‘Every Bad’ represents a significant evolution in their music, with a fuller production and more polished arrangements, while still maintaining the emotional rawness that characterized their earlier work.
Every Bad is packed with emotionally charged songs that blend vulnerability with anthemic power, making it a compelling listen from start to finish.
‘Born Confused’ – The album opens with this powerful track, which sets the tone with its repetitive, mantra-like lyrics (‘Thank you for making me happy’) and gradually building intensity. Margolin’s vocals shift from gentle to visceral, capturing the tumultuous emotions that define much of the album.
‘Sweet’ – A standout single, ‘Sweet’ features a dynamic structure that alternates between quiet, introspective verses and explosive choruses. The lyrics explore themes of anger, frustration, and the struggle to find inner peace, with Margolin’s impassioned delivery driving the song’s intensity.
‘Don’t Ask Me Twice’ – This track blends jangly guitars with a more subdued vocal delivery, creating a sense of tension and unease. The lyrics reflect the anxiety and uncertainty that permeate the album, while the music maintains a haunting, hypnotic quality.
‘Long’ – A more reflective track, ‘Long’ features melancholic melodies and a slower tempo. The lyrics delve into themes of loneliness and longing, with Margolin’s voice conveying a deep sense of vulnerability.
‘Nephews’ – This song is marked by its repetitive structure and raw emotional delivery. The lyrics express a yearning for connection and understanding, with Margolin’s voice building to a cathartic release.
‘Pop Song’ – Despite its title, ‘Pop Song’ is anything but conventional. The track features dissonant guitars and a driving rhythm, with lyrics that explore the tension between external expectations and internal turmoil. The song’s intensity grows throughout, leading to a powerful, chaotic conclusion.
‘Give/Take’ – A track that explores the push-and-pull dynamics of relationships, ‘Give/Take’ features angular guitar lines and a propulsive beat. The lyrics reflect the struggles of communication and emotional exchange, with Margolin’s vocals alternating between tenderness and frustration.
‘Lilac’ – One of the album’s most anthemic tracks, ‘Lilac’ builds from a soft, introspective opening to an explosive, emotional climax. The lyrics, which include the repeated line ‘I don’t want to get bitter, I want us to get better,’ encapsulate the album’s themes of struggle and hope. Margolin’s passionate delivery makes this track a highlight of the album.
‘Circling’ – This song captures a sense of emotional disorientation, with lyrics that depict the repetitive cycles of doubt and confusion. The music is both hypnotic and unsettling, reflecting the inner turmoil expressed in the lyrics.
‘Homecoming Song’ – The album closes with this reflective track, which features a more stripped-down arrangement. The lyrics touch on themes of belonging and the search for peace, offering a more subdued, yet still emotionally resonant conclusion to the album.
Every Bad is characterized by its raw emotionality, exploring themes of self-doubt, anxiety, anger, and the complexities of relationships. The lyrics are often repetitive and mantra-like, reflecting the obsessive nature of the emotions being expressed. Margolin’s vocal delivery is a key feature of the album, shifting from soft and introspective to powerful and cathartic, often within the same song.
Musically, the album blends elements of indie rock, post-punk, and lo-fi, with a sound that is both raw and polished. The band uses dynamic shifts, dissonant guitars, and driving rhythms to create an intense, emotionally charged atmosphere. The production by Tom Carmichael and the band itself adds a layer of depth to the sound, maintaining the intimacy of Margolin’s songwriting while enhancing the overall impact of the music.
Every Bad received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its emotional depth, dynamic sound, and Margolin’s compelling vocal performances. The album was shortlisted for the 2020 Mercury Prize, further cementing its status as one of the standout indie rock albums of the year. Critics highlighted the way the album captures the intensity of personal turmoil, making it resonate deeply with listeners.
The album also helped Porridge Radio reach a wider audience, bringing them international attention and establishing them as one of the most promising acts in the indie rock scene. The band’s ability to channel raw emotion into powerful music has earned them a dedicated fanbase and critical respect.
Every Bad stands as a defining album for Porridge Radio, showcasing their ability to blend emotional vulnerability with sonic intensity. The album’s themes of self-exploration, anxiety, and the search for connection resonate with a broad audience, making it an important work in the landscape of modern indie rock.
For fans of emotionally charged, dynamic music, Every Bad is an essential listen. It captures the essence of Porridge Radio’s unique sound and establishes them as a band with a powerful voice and a bright future in the indie music scene.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Born Confused
Sweet
Don’t Ask Me Twice
Long
Nephews
Pop Song
Give / Take
Lilac
Circling
(Something)
Homecoming Song
