Sabrina Teitelbaum’s debut album in her new Blondshell persona builds on the last three decades of anti-misogynist female rock, evoking the likes of PJ Harvey and Hole, but with a melodic twist and some lo-fi lethargy. Gone is the dodgy trend pop Teitelbaum previously released as BAUM, which I have only visited retrospectively having fallen for Blondshell and won’t be visiting again. With the decision to write the music she wants, for herself and not some imagined audience, Teitelbaum has found her voice. And that voice is raw, witty, and vengeful. There is certainly some shared DNA here with Palehound’s Eye on the Bat, although Blondshell is the more abrasive of the two records. It mines themes like substance abuse, self-harm, violence, and empowerment to powerful effect, but it also is packed full of sly, unique humour and pop culture references. Musically unfussy but precise and contagious, this debut album heralds Blondshell’s arrival as a bona fide star, who can balance Jimmy Fallon appearances with Gen Z street cred. Such a shame I was too ill to go and see her at the show I had a ticket for in October. Ah, well. Next time.