NOBRO is an all female quartet based out of Montreal, bursting onto the scene with their second EP release, Live Your Truth Shred Some Gnar. Touted as a hard rock group, the songs are a throwback to Riot grrrl bands like Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney. They take on classic topics such as sexism, drugs, and relationships. Their goal for this EP was to make the music loud and energetic. They definitely succeeded.
“Better Each Day” opens up in a choir, flashing me right back to being in church and clapping along. The song segues into bouncy fun, with a gritty chorus and simple lyrics.
“Eat Slay Chardonnay” is a fun twist on the basic babe motto of Live Laugh Love. Mocking the suburban mom slogan with a rocking riff and sniping at the rampant sexism with lines like, “If I was a dude, you’d take my advice.” The song is short and definitely not sweet.
The distorted guitar of “Bye Bye Baby” being some of the best instrumentation of the EP to go along with the catchy lyrics. It’s no wonder this was chosen as a single prior to the full release. It’s got the most “commercial” appeal without actually being commercial.
“Life is a Voyage”, is a drug filled stripped down closer. And when I say drug filled, I mean it – the members took mushrooms prior to recording the song and were in a rush to get it done before the mushrooms hit. “We tried to get it on tape before things kicked in,” says lead singer Kathryn McCaughey. “That was going to be one of the mysteries with this record, ‘Which one is the mushroom song?’”
This EP is excellent fun for what it is. Women making music that is raw and theirs, it’s definitely something rock could use more of.
7/10