Single Review: corporationpop – Meet Me By The Viaduct EP

Odd Box Records are set to release, Meet Me By The Viaduct, the debut EP from corporationpop. Sick of being artistically ripped off and relegated to the role of ‘feminist poet girlfriend’, corporationpop emerged from Northern poet Elise Hadgraft‘s late night drinking sessions in a suburban Stockport kitchen. With their debut EP corporationpop have released an innovative four tracks of 21st Century beat poetry that blends a female-centric narrative with minimal yet catchy synthpop beats.

 

There is something arresting about the lyrical content of corporationpop‘s debut EP, whilst the stark synth backing is about as far as you can get from my usual musical choice I found myself drawn into the Meet Me By The Viaduct EP. I can relate to this EP as Elise Hadgraft is from the same stultifying satellite suburb that I grew up in, but this EP should also resonate with anyone who has grown up in a smalltown environment where nothing ever changes, and differing from the norm is putting yourself at risk of abuse or physical assault. corporationpop have captured the simmering discontent with suburban life and as a result this is a striking debut EP with biting lyrical content that sits astride a disconcertingly dark backing.

 

There is an obvious comparison to John Cooper Clarke‘s recorded releases, as there is witty intelligent and scathing poetry that is delivered over a stark synth backing but other than being sons and daughters of Manchester that’s where the comparison ends, corporationpop have their own distinct feel and style and there is no suggestion that Elise Hadgraft is following in anyone’s wake. Meet At The Viaduct is a kitchen sink drama for the 21st century that reflects the reality of the discontent with the modern suburban nightmare perfectly.

 

The Meet Me By The Viaduct EP can be pre-ordered on CD, cassette and digital formats here

 

corporationpop‘s Facebook page is here