Let it never be said that LAURA JANE GRACE is not a forward thinking and progressive woman. She is a warrior. One who has stood up for the trans community time and time again and has taken her strongly held beliefs out into the world via mouth, through her powerful autobiography Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Famous Anarchist Sellout and of course, via her music both with AGAINST ME! and solo efforts.
Hole In My Head, Grace’s third full-length solo effort comes at an interesting time for the musician. It has been little over two months since her marriage and not much longer since she undertook the massive decision to shave her head (as a woman, her hair was symbolic as a prominent figure in the trans community) to enable the master Japanese tattoo artist Gakkin to tattoo her head. Musically we see somewhat of a return to Grace’s musical roots, with an album that is much more sonically powerful and well-rounded than her previous full length Stay Alive. This is not to say that the previous album is weak in any way. However, this time out the sound is much larger with a more rounded full band approach.
The album opens with the short but sweet title track. This is a punchy, straight-forward punk rock song and draws a parallel between LAURA JANE GRACE‘s current art and her roots with AGAINST ME! This is the perfect way to open the album, grabbing attention and luring the listener in. The following song I’m Not A Cop is much more satirical. This is another fun song, with tongue in cheek lyrics and a upbeat vibe and when you close your eyes and really listen you get swept up in the usual punk rock feeling that you could listen to this at a basement show and imagine Grace having the time of her life playing it up close and personal.
The next track Dysphoria Hoodie changes the mood slightly. The singer has brought so much positive attention and understanding to the wider world with regards to the very real issue of gender dysphoria and this is another soulful and honest insight into the struggles of someone suffering from the condition. This is a particularly powerful song, that shows you just how important music can be to help others understand and empathize, as well as explain certain feelings in a way that usual words never can.
Later in the album Cuffing Season is a beautiful acoustic song. There is no sweeter sound than a talented singer/songwriter bearing their soul with a simple melody over simple chords. The same goes for Tacos & Toast. With a song of that name, you would not expect a singer to be pouring her soul out on tape, but here we are. “I think I’ll bet a line tattooed through your name. You will be read as a clear mistake” sings Grace for the refrain, with what sounds like a smile on her face.
On the song Mercenary you can really hear the influence of bassist Matt Patton as the notes accentuate the chord progressions. This track has a really catchy chorus, something that Grace has mastered over the course of her long a decorated career and the closing lyrics of the song “I want you to love me, to love me like I love you” is a painfully simple, yet intensely profound line that so many of us have felt in our own lives. Such is the power of the woman behind the microphone.
The closing track on the album Give Up The Ghost has an almost bluesy feel to it as emotional vocals from Grace float over the simple chord progression. This music is honest and open, and as a result it is easy to lose yourself in and connect to on a deep level. For decades now Grace has laid down some of the most influential and important music in the punk rock scene, carving out her own path throughout a genre that often tries too hard to be true to its roots rather than peel off and create new ones. The line “I’m standing at the centre of the universe screaming I’m not done” couldn’t be more apt for a songwriter who appears to be hitting her creative stride at 43 years old. With no signs of slowing up creatively any time soon.
We all want AGAINST ME! to reform someday. It goes without saying. However, if LAURA JANE GRACE continues to roll out music of this quality, then we can wait a little while longer. Hole In My Head is a triumph and one that will undoubtedly be in rotation for the rest of the year.
Rating: 9/10
Hole In My Head is out now via Big Scary Monsters.
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