EP Review: Freak Slug ‘Freak Slug on Audiotree Live’
EP Review: Freak Slug ‘Freak Slug on Audiotree Live’ “Freak Slug on Audiotree Live” is one of the first times in a while that I’ve had to stop and listen to a whole project. 9 June 2025 By Ricardo Labrada Currently Listening to: When on the lookout for new tracks to review, I always wait for something to catch my attention. There are usually good tracks and some occasional bad tracks that catch your attention in the wrong ways, but normally just middling songs that go in one ear and out the other only to be forgotten immediately. This EP is the furthest thing from these examples. “Freak Slug on Audio Tree” is one of the first times in a while that I’ve had to stop and listen to a whole project. Indie, Rock and Pop rock are some of the genres that I’m extremely picky and pretentious about, yet after listening to their Audio Tree set I immediately looked it up on YouTube to re-listen with the interview. The last time I was left this impressed was Viji’s track “Karaoke”. Before that, it was over seven years ago with Soccer Mommy on Audio Tree as well. In other words, I was left very impressed by Freak Slug. The short set is nearly 23 minutes long, yet it remained in my head a lot longer than that currently being played on repeat as I write this review. It’s a work that instantly catches your attention. The first track “Ya Ready’’draws you in with slick guitar work that quickly gets loud when the band joins in. The drum and guitar work just flow so well together taking the spotlight for this track. The track is just an infectious work with the finale living in my head as singer Xenya Genovese repeats “Ye I’m ready” and finishes off with a flurry of perfect “ooooo’s.” Meanwhile “Sexy Lemon”, arguably my favourite track, brings out Genovese’s northern accent with the distorted guitars almost drowning her lovely voice. The track’s use of the quiet verse, loud chorus, and song structure popularised by the Pixies and Nirvana further illustrates their throwback style mixed with touches of modern. Following this are “Friday” and “Hello”, two tracks that bring a calmer vibe toning down the heavier sound some of the choruses contained. In particular “Hello” exemplifies this with the sound being accompanied by relatable lyrics: “Today’s the day I say helloToday’s the day I let you know” Hinting at building up the courage to speak to someone you have a crush on nor find attractive for a long time. While not a completely accurate representation of their sound, they are reminiscent of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, particularly with this song reminding me of the track “Maps”.The final track “Killer” is another track that leaves an impression with Genovese’s soothing vocals mixed with distorted and loud backing instruments. They border on drowning her voice out yet, they do not. They honestly are the most fun aspects of the songs seemingly getting louder as the tracks continue. I can only imagine how fun these loud, almost deafening, choruses must be in concert. Overall this EP is one I checked out over a week ago and kept being drawn back into, feeling the need to praise and discuss Freak Slug here. The lyrics’ themes are subjects that are really relatable from “Hello” hinting at the courage to go say hello to someone while “Killer” deals with accountability for negative actions. I highly recommend checking out this live Audio Tree set as it leaves a great first impression on the group. Furthermore, I recommend the full Audio Tree YouTube video as the interviews give you a deeper understanding of Xenya and her group. The combination of the raw yet soothing vocals and slick guitar work leaves a sound reminiscent of the late 90s and early 2000s alternative and is very much welcome in what I perceive to be a bland alternative scene at the moment. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆