REVIEW: Porcelain Doll - Beauty and Control, Pt.1

Brighton's bubble-gum-grunge quartet, PORCELAIN DOLL, returns with their latest EP, Beauty and Control, Pt.1, a raw and honest collection of songs born from a period of chronic pain, relationship struggles and a sense of not belonging. The band's signature fuzzy guitars and catchy hooks provide a powerful backdrop for frontwoman FREJA's distinct vocals and deeply relatable lyrics. 

The EP kicks off with Apocalypse, a track that immediately establishes a mood of being over it all (relatable!). The sludgy, distorted guitar and strong drum work, particularly the hi-hat and satisfying kick and snare tones, lay a solid foundation. Vocally, we’re not sure the way the lyrics are sung lifts the song, however, the lyrics feel incredibly relevant. Despite some minor production flaws (halfway through it sounds like the track skips or the timing jumps) -the song builds to a powerful and creative outro, a clear highlight of the track.  

Pretty in My Coffin starts with great snare work and an engaging guitar melody. A highlight is the excellent drum mix with effective panning on the tom rolls. Unfortunately, the vocals become a point of contention as the style, along with potentially forced pronunciations, slightly detracts from the song. While the high-pitched vocals are more engaging, the lower, spoken-style delivery feels less effective. Unfortunately, in the mix, the bass tone is good but gets lost in the chorus. Despite these issues, the lyrics' vivid imagery remains a strong point.

The standout track of the EP is Love Me, a slow, sludgy, and haunting song that immediately sets an effective mood. The instrumentals are exceptionally cohesive, and the echoing intro is particularly well-mixed. Vocally, this track shows significant improvement; the volume is better controlled, and the use of whispering and softer vocals is highly effective. The poignant lyric, "Bet you'd love me if I kept my mouth shut", perfectly captures the song's potential exploration of toxic relationships. The track’s strong rhythm and powerful outro make it the most cohesive and emotionally impactful song on the EP.

Finally, Self Destruct boasts excellent mixing and dynamic control. The vocal melody skillfully dances around the guitar riff, creating a very catchy hook. The addition of a quirky "woah woah" vocal riff and effective lower-range background vocals elevates the performance. The drums stand out with a great tone and a cool beat change during the bridge. A memorable moment occurs when the instruments cut out, leaving just the vocals and drums before the final chorus section, concluding with an effective distorted guitar fade-out.

PORCELAIN DOLL’s latest EP, Beauty and Control, Pt.1, is a powerful showcase of their sound and a clear step forward for the band. While there are some minor production and vocal inconsistencies in one or two songs, the EP is a strong, impactful statement with attitude. The band's knack for creating memorable outros is consistent throughout the record with relatable and relevant lyrics. Overall, this EP demonstrates PORCELAIN DOLL’s potential as a unique voice in the alternative rock scene, solidifying their reputation for crafting punchy, relatable, and genuinely catchy songs. 

Score: 7/10

Beauty and Control, Pt.1 was released on September 12th 2025.

Words: Katherine Russell

Photos: Porcelain Doll