These 4 females have been gaining attention for a while now and for all the best reasons. They have received a lot of praise from the media and have already won airtime on the BBC and track of the week with Classic Rock Magazine. Writing about social issues, empowering women and mental health problems they produce songs that don’t mince their words. This was acknowledged in January 2020 when they received a ‘Women Make Music’ grant from the PRS, this has provided the means to produce the new EP. Calling themselves after a bird of prey and using the female chromosome symbol, XX, the girls are not afraid to focus on subject matter that hits home, without adding any gloss.
‘Low’ reflects a feeling of vulnerability from a personal point of view and how it is ok to embrace your feelings and accept yourself. It begins with Anna’s haunting vocals and a few strings of mellowness, before suddenly breaking into a full force of heavy and messy riffs with crisp harmonies. Hawxx certainly know how to kick out a dark and doom laden rhythm. Chaotic and crushing ‘Low’ flies away on an ill wind and finally drops into a guitar filled abyss. The newer track ‘Dogma’ attacks the way women are so often portrayed as being ‘perfect’ by advertising and media companies. ‘Dogma Is A Parasite’ sums up their thoughts and the accompanying video below, is a stark reminder of how demoralising and dangerous it can be to believe that your body has to be flawless. ‘Dogma’ is a stabbing song with rushing vocals and a pulsating tone. The bass of Bahrain born Iman, is perfectly stark, contrasting with the increasing drums and layers of guitar that gain momentum through the song, to the final thunderous ending.
The third song and newest single, ‘Blunt’ is exactly what it says on the tin and a creeping monster of a track. The riff shows no sign of weakness as it drives relentlessly forward. Siren Anna utters the lyrics impeccably and I love the way it just thuds along. As heavy as you can imagine, it’s such a pounding of a track. Distorted guitar and throbbing drums, with enticing vocals and it offers such a clear perception of dramatic imagination. The final track ‘Deadlands’ has been heard on the band’s live set for a while and also came out as a single. With a churning wail of a hook and rolling riff, it’s an amazing piece of work. As the words ‘I’ll Take You To The Deadlands’ are hollered, we sink into a chasm of despair and a void of intolerable pain. Such is the power of this band, they are able to accomplish such a contrast of alluring vocals and harmonies with faultless thrashing of melodies and crumbling riffs. This can’t be found among many of their contemporaries, male or female.
Hawxx certainly deliver with ‘Deadlands’ it’s 4 tracks of absolute hammering and leaves you in awe. The band have only been together since 2018 and their first single ‘Loves A Bitch’ won them a small army of fans, so this EP will be well supported. Having a feisty attitude towards all things in life, I can’t help but admire London based Hawxx. I hope this is just the beginning of a long and rewarding musical journey.
‘Distorted guitar and throbbing drums, with enticing vocals’
DEADLANDS is released on November 27th. See the links below for more information about the band.
Order a copy of the EP HERE
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