normal village - ‘bunny’
Normal Village’s new single, ‘Bunny,’ is an exhilarating debut, showcasing the band's prowess in blending different genres. The track opens with a jaunty guitar riff that flings itself into full-bodied, noisy chords, underpinned by punk-inspired spoken word vocals. Ambiguous time signatures and melodic chromaticism slide into the realms of math rock, reminiscent of bands like Chinese Football and Shellac, yet the visceral quality of the vocals and writhing guitars compare to the punk elements of iconic groups such as Gang of Four and Fugazi.
As ‘Bunny’ progresses, the arrangement evolves, revealing layers of complexity. The bassline, characterized by satisfying arpeggios (played skilfully by Lucy Dodd) provides a steady undercurrent beneath folklore-inspired lyrics ‘I don’t wear a rabbit’s foot’, an amulet believed to be good-omened and auspicious despite being a piece of taxidermy. This contradiction continues with the grotesque ‘drenched in bunny guts’ opposing the funky bass, bringing a sense of unease to the single, yet one that is intriguing to the listener, like a guilty pleasure.
The lyrics of ‘Bunny’ are delivered with a raw, emotive intensity. The song delves into dark themes with the raspy line ‘would you kill your friend/just to feel again,’ above a convulsive distorted guitar. ‘I want my rabbit back’ is shouted angrily, accusingly, hollowly, echoing the cries of a child who has lost their first pet. Vocalist Fakie’s delivery, layered over ironically bouncy chords and a bassline filled with funk and energy, heightens the emotional tension, meanwhile the drums drive the rhythm forward with a relentless energy. The bassline, however, remains a constant sonorous presence, anchoring the track amidst the building chaos.
Each instrumentalist plays with prowess and sensitivity to one another. The complex parts fold together purposefully, punctuated by terse lines like ‘she was my friend’. The single is a stirring debut that promises big things in the future from Normal Village.