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PREMIERE: Astral Skulls take a stand against sexism

Sexism is a thing that should be addressed more often in pop music. It’s a ridiculously casual thing that many people, more specifically men, don’t seem to even notice. Even those who intend to do the right thing can be susceptible to the odd demeaning joke or simply chuckle along to one with mates. So it’s a rare thing to have a male address this issue, and none more bluntly than Melbourne’s Astral Skulls.

Astral Skulls premiere

Melbourne’s Astral Skulls takes on sexism and notions of masculinity with their blunt yet revealing double A side release Sexism Sux /Bite My Tongue.

Astral Skulls is the musical endeavour of Kurt Eckardt, who since starting this venture last year has been exploring the wide spectrum of pop music. His new double A side Sexism Sux /Bite My Tongue is set for a vinyl and digital release tomorrow, but today Eckardt is premiering both tracks in full. The two tracks work as two sides of the same coin exploring the concepts of not just sexism but notions of masculinity, duty and self-worth. For his debut release it’s an impressive feat and one that is marked by vision and purpose.

Astral Skulls’s music is referred to as pop music, it definitely sits in the more obscure corners of that umbrella. The music is aggressive and jagged, which is suitable for the frank nature of his lyrics. Eckardt uses a variety of instruments including a drum machine and synths which gives the release its pop sensibilities akin to the work of electro-pop heavyweights The Presets. His vocal delivery certainly is reminiscent of Julian Hamilton, yet also carries with it a punk aesthetic as the cadence or his voice harbours feelings of disgust.

Sexism Sux is as blunt as the title suggests; “Hey boys, you know we gotta talk/ The way that we treat women has just got to stop/ Yeah I know we think we do what we can/ And I know I’m just as guilty as every other man“. Blunt, but not crude. It may feel a little abrasive at first but the song really is a call to action. It calls out to all men to recognise the bullshit and do something about it.

On the other side of the coin is Bite My Tongue, a more self deprecating song that feels far more honest. While Sexism Sux may be an optimistic call to action, Bite My Tongue is resigned to the truth of one’s own nature. In this case, as much as Eckhardt, or perhaps any other man, may want to stomp out the behaviour of their peers, there are times when courage isn’t that easy to muster. The music is more bleak, the harshness of the guitars and droning synths echoing this sentiment bitterly.

By that description it may sound like Astral Skulls’ Sexism Sux /Bite My Tongue isn’t the most fun release, but it is one that is important to take note of and to consider its message. Pop music in essence is meant to reflect the state of our society, and as bleak as it is, Astral Skulls’ perception is spot on. The only thing left to ask is what will you do?