Ailbhe Reddy - “Shitshow”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Nilufer Yanya, Snail Mail, Aldous Harding

Shitshow, Irish artist Ailbhe Reddy’s 2022 EP, is a compact display of her sonic range, classic punk, bedroom pop, and crunchy indie rock merging together into a tight and fuzzy package. It is Reddy’s fourth release overall and follows 2020 full-length Personal History. A four-song collection that is deceptively catchy among the forthright, personal songwriting, Shitshow is emboldened by guitar and piano melodies open to subtly and relative nonchalantness. That balance of fuzziness and brightness makes the songs of Shitshow really stand out, most so the leading title track, a song that grows over four minutes from a minimal confession to a cathartic romp. Look out for Reddy’s sophomore record Endless Affair to arrive right in the swing of SXSW, due March 17th. (Kevin McStravick)