Girl Group Celebrate The Imperfect Feminine Experience In Their Debut EP: ‘Think They’re Looking, Lets Perform’
Girl Group is made by women for women. The group is a feminist project established by five friends during their time at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. After experiencing the frustrating nature of the industry’s boy club, Girl Group was born. Determined to change the male bias in the music industry, Girl Group are carving a space for women.
‘Think They’re Looking, Lets Perform’ EP Cover
Made up of Katya, Maria, Thea, Mia, and Lil. The group have lived together since meeting. Their friendship has blossomed into a celebration of youthful chaos and femininity, which is the base of their sound. After being made to feel small and out of place in studios they began to have independent sessions. Working on their production skill as a team and finding the fun in creating for themselves. Resulting in a beautiful mix of jazz-infused alt-pop with a sprinkle of post-punk.
‘Think They’re Looking, Lets Perform,’ was born out of a love of music. This debut EP has the attitude of a Charli XCX track with Lily Allen lyrics. It is an exploration of the fun and frustration of the modern woman. Think They’re Looking, Lets Perform explores the realities of fun night outs, societal pressure, and the beauty of female friendships. Through spoken word and chatty snippets, this EP welcomes the listener to Girl Group’s intimate circle.
The EP opens with a bass-driven tune that captures the messiness of womanhood. “YAY! SATURDAY” explores a messy night out from start to finish. From fun tipsy dancing to regretting decisions in the girl's bathroom. This opening track is plucked from personal and shared experiences, filling the song with more life. The little details create the nature of the song. As YAY! SATURDAY progresses the beat gets slower with the vocals becoming muffled and overlaid creating that exact feeling of all the alcohol hitting the body at once. Where everything is fun and exciting but also scary and out of control.
Each track is a detailed account of growing up as a woman and the underlying condescendence in a man's daily actions. “FLINK PIKE” is essential to understanding the group's message. Driven from the Nordic expression good girl this song takes listeners on the journey of growing up surrounded by conflicting double standards. Flink Pike explores how young girls are forced to grow up quickly to accommodate societal ideals. Accompanied by contrasting lyrics this song represents the frustration of attempting the perfect woman act. As the song comes to a close the vocals transform into a chanting ritual. Full of heavy breaths and the overwhelming urge to scream, encapsulating how it feels to truly be a woman.
The EP closes on a beautiful stripped-back track. “BBF4EAE” reflects on the hidden beauty in female friendships. With celestial harmonies and floaty acoustic guitars, it is a complete 180 to the previous sound of the EP. This closing track allows time for individual reflection on female solidarity. BBF4EAE showcases the importance of united support and love, with this unity anything is possible. It is the perfect conclusion to a high drum beat production, allowing the group to show off their vocal ability and true talent.
Think They’re Looking, Lets Perform is the perfect introduction to the feminist world of Girl Group. This ep was written and produced by every member of the group. Their individual influences flow throughout this body of work. From euphoric drum and bass runs to jazzy baselines the girls use their influences to create a strong unique sound. Their uniqueness is what makes them a powerful group. This EP lays a strong foundation for the future of this band who are creating a world where women and girls can come together and celebrate their strength and love of all things girly.
As Girl Group already hint to their next project their debut EP will always be remembered as a celebration of the messy and imperfect feminine experience, where every girl is welcomed and celebrated.
