ALT BLK Era – “I’m Normally Like It” Single review

Single cover, picture by Fabrice Gagos

Second of June seems like a popular day to release new music. Today, Foo Fighters are returning with a new album “But Here We Are”, their first since the loss of their high profile drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Tenacious D are also back, this time with a new single, a cover of the “Wicked Game”, a true classic by Chris Isaak. There are new releases from Bob Dylan (“Shadow Kingdom”), Cowboy Junkies (“Such Ferocious Beauty”), Ben Folds, Tanya Tucker and many other legendary artists. From new(ish) music, we have Bully and an excellent new album from Protomartyr. The selection is varied and everybody should find something catering to their exquisite tastes. Our interest lies with a brand, brand new band, that in the last year, absolutely conquered the indie market. Alt Blk Era have just released their newest single and you are not ready for this. The unstoppable sister duo is showing that they can do whatever they want and they will always succeed. Sharing a release date with Foo Fighters is probably not a coincidence, but a promise that the band is ready to take on the world. Mark my word – if they are not sharing the same stages with Dave Grohl in a couple of years, I will eat my pictures from the Foo Fighters early gig in Sopot A.D. 1996 (Malboro Rock Festival) with hot a peri-peri sauce.

The new song is called “Im Normally Like It” and it shows a different side of Alt Blk Era. It’s a proper dance tune with a longish, spoken intro. Seriously, for somebody who lived through the rave era/space techno (late 80’s, early 90’s), it reminds me of very early Prodigy – “Charlie”, “Out Of Space”, “Wind It Up”, even before those songs made it to their debut album “Experience” in a slightly altered versions. You would have to go back in time to 1990, when “Wind It Up” was first introduced onto dance floors and had more cold-wave feel to it. Think Sven Vath, 3 years before “L’Esperanza”, still being part of  DJ collective named OFF. The intro to “Im Normally Like It” has the same gothic mixture of early techno, drum and bass, deep dream aesthetic that was dominating underground clubs at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Of course, it’s not a nostalgia trip, the production and sound are very modern, but damn it, if I close my eyes and listen to the background music, it’s like a Tardis ride to the dance floor of the legendary club “Dorian Gray” in Frankfurt (am Main). Top job with the beat getting louder and louder, from barely being heard, to a massive sonic explosion in the first verses. Nice job.

Alt Blk Era, picture by Fabrice Gagos

“I’m Normally Like It” is a quite polite, waltzing FU to all those people who dare to tell others how they should act and what they should do. It is the classic US versus THEM set up. Alternative, gothic subculture against the traditional part of British society, referred here to as “Normies”. In the case of Alt Blk Era, it has a deeper, sadder background than just your typical generational split, the undying tale of the Young and the Old. Both girls are black and I’m sure they are sick to their back teeth of being told that artists of colour can’t play metal music and should limit themselves to soul and R’n’B. One doesn’t have to look very hard to encounter numerous social media comments suggesting that Nova Twins, Black Joanie and Bob Vylan filled the UK heavy music market enough and there is no place for another minority band. Well, there is plenty of space for everyone and I truly hope that Nyrobi and Chaya will open doors for other kids from diverse backgrounds. We have covered Alt Blk Era on Indieterria twice so far and every single time we posted a review, we had people telling us that their music cannot be considered metal based on their race or that their success is woke/politically motivated. What’s really infuriates me the most, is the comments almost exclusively come from white, middle-aged men who end up being mortally offended when I call out their racism. I hope they have some smelling salts with them when they find out that Alt Blk Era will make their official debut at this year’s Glasto, being booked to play on the Truth Stage at Shangri-La for Earache Records. I expect few folks from the music business to be very vocal about it next month and I look forward to our exchanges on Twitter. 😊

Back to the music, “I’m Normally Like It” is slower, calmer than previous releases but still can kick like an angry donkey. The vocals are remarkably diverse – from spoken word to rap to classical singing and high-pitched shouts. Brilliantly mixed, very neatly produced, the track is guaranteed to be a hit on their live shows. The music is radio friendly, body moving, catchy and the audience will be able to sing along. The girls don’t need anything else to wrap the listeners around their fingers. With an extensive collection of singles under their belt, it’s time for a debut EP or an album and I’m waiting anxiously for any official statements. Alt Blk Era are on top of their game, one of the most exciting bands I have heard in recent years and they have a bright future ahead of them.

Alt Blk Era, picture by Fabrice Gagos

Highest notes as usual, five middle fingers to Normies.

I don’t want to be a normal “Normie”. I want to be normal like the girls from Alt Blk Era, and I’m 43 years old this year.

“I’m Normally Like It” comes out at the beginning of the Pride Month and is an anthem for all that are misunderstood, bullied, that live in secrecy and cannot come out. This song will give them hope, a sense of belonging, will show them they are not alone and do not have to be afraid of being their true selves. This is how being a true ally looks like.

And this is why I absolutely adore Alt Blk Era – their compassion and strength are simply unmatched.

New song: https://songwhip.com/altblkera/im-normally-like-this

Alt Blk Era are available on socials:
https://www.altblkera.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ALTBLKERA
https://www.instagram.com/altblkera/
https://twitter.com/ALTBLKERA
https://altblkera.bandcamp.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@altblkera
https://www.youtube.com/c/ALTBLKERA
https://soundcloud.com/altblkera
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FNR2qdCVKGAep4alfg 

Rita Dabrowicz