Um Jennifer? Make a Case For Being The Hottest Band in NYC in "Fishy"
Trans-punk and self-described "slut rock" duo Um, Jennifer?, comprised of Eli Scarpati and Fig Regan, bring the heat with their latest single, "Fishy." The track is a fun, angular indie rocker with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that highlight the trans experience in a flashy and funny way, presented with bombastic bravado and a whimsical yet sarcastic sense of irony.
Heavily rooted in garage rock revival, the song starts with a blend of classic punk aggression with a rock 'n' roll swagger. Clothed by crunchy and dissonant guitar layers, coupled with the thick, deep bass, these layers defiantly weave with an infectious rawness.
The duo croons eye-opening lines about their experience, including, "People keep me round 'cause I'm spineless / A jellyfish with a little streak of kindness," and "Crying to my mom, I'm not normal / Couldn't get a date to the high school formal / Is it 'cause they thought I wasn't pretty? / Which is weird 'cause I'm the hottest fucking bitch in New York City."
The track pushes forward, led by a tight and snappy drum groove that shifts from relentless rhythms to sudden stops, creating a frantic ebb and flow. The overall vibe feels elegantly chaotic, rebellious, and celebratory, bursting with attitude and adrenaline, especially on the hook as they chant, "Shapewear compress / Hands 'round my neck / Tucked up to death / Fishy, bad breath."
The new single follows the success of their latest EP, The Girl Class, and their follow-up single, "Went On T." Whether or not the new singles will be a part of a bigger release is still to be announced, but one thing is for sure, Um Jennifer? is making a name for themselves as one of the hottest bands in New York City.
Listen to "Fishy" below: