SNIFF MORE GRITTY (Dinked Edition #309)

‘Sniff More Gritty’ is an album of many faces, some belonging to Du Blonde, others belonging to a host of characters from past loves, to record industry executives, each played with humour and heartbreak in a one-man pantomime of glam-rock, punk, and a single, acrylic nail adorned middle finger. The glimmers of pop teased on 2021’s acclaimed ‘Homecoming’ LP become firework displays that illuminate stories of missed connections, anxiety, controlling relationships and hard-earned peace. In spite of darkness, Du Blonde is choosing fun.

Having self-produced her third album, after years of working relationships with record labels and industry producers, Du Blonde found herself able to finally express herself musically in a way that her previous situation would not allow. The freedom that came with her move to production and engineering opened up a new sonic world for Du Blonde, one that is arguably catchier, more colourful and more exciting than anything she had been allowed to bring forth previously.

‘Sniff More Gritty’ is entirely performed (drums aside!), engineered and produced by Du Blonde, and also features unique collaborations with Skunk Anansie’s Skin, Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and The Futureheads’ Ross Millard, with additional mixing by Sam Grant of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.

Side A

1. Perfect

2. Dollar Coffee

3. Solitary Individual

4. TV Star

5. Out of a Million

6. ICU

Side B

7. Blame

8. Lucky

9. Yesterday

10. Next Big Thing

11. Radio Jesus

12. Metal Detector

7” tracklisting

1. Live Wire

2. Message Deleted