Nu-metal artist BEX, has been called many things: a prodigy, a trailblazer, a role model, even a one -woman alternative hits factory. She was our woman of the month in March and we interviewed her for the International Woman’s Day. Back then, she told us that her newest single will be released in April and here we are. “sunDae” is already receiving spins from BBC Radio 1and Kerrang, being hailed as a perfect combination of gritty guitars, perfect pop and electronica. You really don’t need any more recommendation than that – feel free to dive head first into the absolutely amazing world of BEX.
“sunDae” single cover
Few days ago, a certain, middle-aged male music critic on Twitter (quelle surprise), complained that we write about BEX (and other women) a lot. We get such complains at least once a day. Somehow a female led blog, writing about female artists in rock music is something strange or uncommon. However, our answer is always the same: how can we afford not to write about them when BEX is changing the alternative British musical landscape with each new song she puts out? It would be completely irresponsible on our side to disregard one of the most innovative and incredibly talented new artists UK has at this moment! If NME is able to cover overrated artists signed to major labels several times a week, then why a small independent blog is being criticized for supporting an independent female artist? Such misogyny must finally come to an end.
Let’s leave the Twitter trolls to themselves and concentrate on the most important thing at hand: the music. “sunDae” stands at three minutes and six seconds. It has a slow tempo in the verses and mid-tempo choruses, with catchy bridges filled with melodic repetitions (P-P-P-Perfect and Ha-Ha-Ha-Happy). This is typical for BEX who often uses sudden tempo changes to slow down or speed up her songs in the right moments creating a multidimensional effect for her music. I’m actually very fond of this accelerando – rallentando power play, recently it becomes something of a signature move for her.
As usual with BEX, there is also a lot of different genres squeezed into the tiny frames of nu-metal: from bubble-gum pop, to stutter rock, old fashioned adult alternative to the contemporary hard rock. I’m not sure how this young lady does this, but some of the little-known genres of rock have been out of fashion since the late 90’s and she is using them like it’s a new TikTok trend, colour me truly impressed. I’m also amazed how easily she changes the tone and timbre of her voice – from scratchy, grungy and dirty Britpop infused faux scream a la Justine Fisherman, to her natural and warm singing in the refrain (rain, rain go away) – a thing of real beauty if anybody asks me.
“sunDae” comes with a video that was directed and edited by BEX herself, with further videography from Josh Paine and Francis Smith. I need to count how many hats BEX is now wearing in the music industry: she is a songwriter, bass player, lead singer, producer, editor, costume designer, lyricist – and now a video director. On one hand, it’s brilliant to know that women in this business can be anything they want to be and can be successful in many different roles. On the other, however, it shows the difficulties faced by independent artists – you have to be jack-of-all-trades to survive in the highly competitive field. Also, if you don’t have a financial backing from a record label or any business sponsorship, you will be forced do many jobs yourself. Being an artist, your own booker, manager, merch seller, social media person can be exhausting while you are on your own.
That’s why I have an enormous respect for BEX who few months ago went completely independent (she was previously signed to the Scruff Of The Neck). There is a small team helping her, but mostly, everything falls on her shoulders and she is barely 22-year-old! When I was her age, I was studying and working part time and that was it – BEX is effectively running a small business that happens to be in the entertainment industry. I know many people do not think of her musical career as a business, but this is exactly what it is.
So, a word to you, middle aged, Twitter keyboard warriors – think three or four times before criticizing the journalists covering women in music, or the artists themselves, for anything. I have seen complaints about short tours they book. Or videos not having the right budgets to look “MTV worthy”, or stage costumes not flashy enough for performances! You are sitting comfortably on your ass, while very young females are working in truly hostile conditions, trying to build their profiles. Don’t utter a word if you don’t have anything meaningful to say.
Silence is golden. Stop talking and let the loud music made by girls be heard.
BEX is one of those artists that deserve a constant coverage in the music media, and we are just doing our job too.
Follow BEX on the socials at:
https://www.bexofficial.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/bex.b.e.x/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bex.b.e.x
https://www.facebook.com/bexbexmusic
https://soundcloud.com/bexbexmusic
https://www.patreon.com/BEXBEX
https://www.youtube.com/@BEXBEXMUSIC/videos
“sunDae” is out now independently.
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
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