Library Card - 'Well, Actually'
Sometimes, you hear a song that just forces you to sit up and listen. Rotterdam post-punk band Library Card’s latest thrasher ‘Well, Actually’, just does that.
With a rhythmic scraping guitar opening (trust us, it works), ‘Well, Actually’ gradually builds with thudding drums and a vibrating bass line to satisfying completion. Vocalist Lot van Teylingen’s drawling spoken word is deadpan, seething with frustration at the unsolicited advice they so often receive from men.
The tune recounts the unwarranted comments the four-piece have had to grimace through post-performance. Delivered with Teylingen’s impeccable timing; they make their point heard whilst taking the absolute piss out of those irritating them so acutely: “Would you mind if I gave you a little bit of advice // about everything?”
Library Card go on to sum up the trials and tribulations of the male gaze pretty aptly. From “your bass player's alright, but your drummer kind of sounds off sometimes” to the classic “you'd be way prettier if you smiled more // Just a bit more pleasant for me to look at”, the band scathingly work their way through all the useless comments they’ve had thrown their way.
Speaking on the track, the band said: “This is our love letter to the patriarchy. One must view ‘Well, Actually’ as a friendly yet firm reminder of what unsolicited advice not to give to a band that’s fresh off the stage, often fuelled by mansplaining or perpetuated by heteronormative norms. We are perfectly capable of asking for it ourselves when in need.“
The tune ramps up, guitar riffs becoming more complex and gritty as Teylingen’s voice drips with venom. The climax of the song is a frantic, explosion of sound; deliciously gravelly and raw. All of the band’s pent up fury finally boils over into a howl:“you’re getting emotional / stop being ridiculous”. You just know from listening that this song would rile up even the most docile of crowds.
Library Card’s earlier repertoire is equally enthralling. First release, ‘Sunflowers’, oozes with sardonic angst. Far from being petulant, Library Card manages to encapsulate the quite frankly overwhelming sensation of being a person. Their bluntly tongue in cheek lyrics, “all these memories are resurfacing and I don't really know what to do with them so I'll just light another cigarette”, are delivered matter of fact, above crushing instrumentals.
Previous release ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ is also well worth a listen. Taken from their upcoming debut EP, Nothing, Interesting, the tune is reminiscent of Yard Act or Porridge Radio with its deadpan storytelling style.
On the new EP, the band continues to explore the ridiculousness of life, tackling themes like “love and loss - often intertwined with a growing fear of not being able to keep up with the world”. With Nothing, Interesting Library Card set out to remind us to “embrace the absurdity of existence, and not take it too seriously.” You’ll have to hold on till March 15th to listen to Nothing, Interesting in full, but we know it will be worth the wait.
Library Card have also announced a slew of tour dates across The Netherlands. However, if you’re not lucky enough to be reading this from a Dutch city right now, you’ll just have to hope they announce an international tour soon.
Words by Ella McLaren