“Some people say you only write one song/ And that feels true/ And I do it for you,” sings Kaia Wilson, singer and guitarist of the influential queercore band Team Dresch, in the opening track “One Song” over a driving drumbeat – and makes it clear straight away with the next lines: This isn’t referring to a romantic partner, but to her younger self – and to all young queer people who feel somehow lost.
Furthermore is the Portland-based band’s first album in 30 years. They don’t want to reinvent the wheel – as this mission statement at the outset makes clear. But – with their original line-up – they’ve still got what it takes to do what they could back then: crisp, pop-infused power-punk anthems with catchy choruses about self-empowerment, safe spaces and the need for at least small revolutions.
With Personal Best (1995) and Captain My Captain (1996), they had released two legendary albums back in the day. Now, the shift to the right and rising homophobia provide ample reason to showcase new material at their sporadic live performances. “You’re so scared of us – you should be,” goes the line in “Growing Underground”, fittingly. The opening is rather sombre in atmosphere, with a bassline providing a grounding element before the song erupts into a fiery chorus.
Overall, the sound is a little more polished; the guitars don’t screech quite as wildly as they used to, and every now and then there are even slightly post-rock-style passages. However, the quintet still manages to combine a sense of urgency with fun. How wonderful that they’re back!
