Single Review: VVomen – Moving On EP

Sacramento based expressive quartet VVomen will self release their debut EP, Moving On, in a few days time on July 21st. The six songs contained on the EP are a post hardcore influenced blast of discordant punk rock, but leave any expectations that description generated at the door as this not in any way, shape or form like any post hardcore or punk release I’ve been sent this year. Moving On is an eclectic mix of styles that is built on a identifiable foundation, but after this VVomen have built something that is strange and unique, and not exactly stable.

Catching Flies is a raw uncompromising discordant blast of post hardcore that is delivered with a hardcore attitude, which is followed by Cadence And Carousel that exemplifies the mix of contrasting styles and only goes onto cement the impression that VVomen are heading out into unexplored territory. The narrative style of Blueprint, that is underpinned by chiming guitar riffs, brings another element to the EP, Bad Grammar introduces elements of gruff punk before the math rock fuelled Lessons In Humility adds to the confusion until finally Crutch And A Stoma, which is about as close as you get to a coherent straight up punk track, brings things to a close.

This is post hardcore, but not as we know it, it carries the intense and raw delivery from the extreme end of punk rock, but it’s carried on a backbone of stripped down post hardcore that makes VVomen a band that’s impossible to pin down. At times Moving On is a challenging listen, and others it’s downright difficult, the mix of discordant styles keeps you guessing and VVomen never settle into a rut, comfortable or otherwise. An EP of this nature is never going to be a crowd pleaser, but what Moving On is is a unique amalgamation of punk styles, and that’s not something I get to say very often.

Moving On can be pre-ordered here