- Riot-pop girl squad RACKETT have returned with another dose of their supercharged anthems, in the way of their latest four track EP I Please Myself. Clocking in just around the ten-minute mark, the short but punchy record scratches you in all the right places, soothing an ache you didn't know you had.
Opening track I Please Myself commands the flavour of the record with its driving, pulsing beat. Subtle electronic overtones give it a slightly different vibe to what RACKETT usually provide, but this is counterbalanced by the sexualised lyrics and liberated vocal performance. Saucy without being crude, it's is an anthem to go alongside classics like I Touch Myself. Kiss It Better is more musically simple than other tracks on the record, recycling the same few chords and melody lines throughout the whole song. However, this simplicity is what makes this track so effective - the rhythmical phrasing in the verse contrasts with the theatrical performance in the chorus to create a memorable song with ample opportunity for engaging on stage performance - which again, is something RACKETT excel at.
Lead vocalist Bec Callander is the one who tips this power group over the edge though. The carefree yet precise vocal performance holds strong throughout all four tracks on the EP and gives the record a polished and realised sound without being too ‘perfect’ - something which would make the tracks seem disingenuous. FU is sassy and commanding, with vocal hooks that get straight to the point of the matter. Record closer Tried To Quit ends it on a high note (not that the record ever really leaves that point) with a fast paced and punchy melody line that's catchy and strong, as well as a perfectly executed key change that lifts the track to a new dimension, as well as showing the range in Callander’s voice.
If you have an itch for an empowering musical experience, RACKETT are here to please you. Combining the sound of a '90's girl band with modern day ideals, RACKETT aren't here to mess around. I Please Myself captures the energy of their live performance whilst still providing a polished portfolio of their musical abilities. I Please Myself is going to leave you on the edge, screaming for more.
- Olivia Shoesmith.