REVIEW: Saint Blonde - ...with little ease
If you’ve had your ear to the music industry door recently, you’ll know about the increasing uphill battles faced by artists and hopefuls still attempting to fight their way in. Texan alt-rock unit SAINT BLONDE are leading a new charge on the brutal reality of being a band in an unforgiving scene with their latest album …with a little ease, a 13-track record that voices their experiences and concerns and turns a scathing look on being a viral sensation is the only way to get a crumb of attention.
SAINT BLONDE don’t go down the route of hardcore, ‘in your face’ alt-rock, but instead incorporate a punk spirit into its indie-surf-rock hybrid sound, a gritty and defiant tone prevalent throughout that highlights their authenticity and adds weight to the palpable dissatisfaction in their more targeted songs, pointing to the disillusionment and moving goalposts felt by their generation and fellow artists. It’s an album designed to keep that defiance simmering and bubbling as you keep fighting for the actual truth instead of a manufactured one.
Title track …with a little ease instantly delivers these themes in the shape of singer Hunter Fitch’s raw vocals “bad luck, is hanging over my head, bad news, I feel it coming again, I don’t care no point in wasting my breath”, an honest take on no longer being shocked or angry with the constant ocean of negativity washing over the world, Tyler Lee’s beats keeping steady pace with Kyle Cade’s punchy bass line as guitarists Tre Rollins and Alexander Hernandez call and respond to each other’s riffs and stirring notes. smooth talking sounds just as smooth as its title, guitar riffs echoing in a way that feels like a Western Sci-Fi over simplified cymbals and persistent bass as the vocals climb to a higher key, calling out people who have a ‘smooth’ persona for the public but are entirely self-serving. dirty $$$ races in with surf-rock hooks and running bass, Fitch stating “get the money first, then wallow in the dirt” as they critique the capitalistic mindset that making a quick buck is more important than being mentally well and happy. prowl comes in with a catchy rhythm that feels like a carefree indie bop akin to ONLY THE POETS, but the lyrics paint a picture of a lovesick person who knew from the moment they got their shot they “were done for”, for a sweet anthem of being unapologetically smitten.
trendsetter changes up the tone into punk infused rock with staccato-paced lyrics throughout that runs parallel to the instrumental pulses, the moment “listen to the broken clock, hear it tick-ing on the wall (you can’t stop)” hitting a beat that tickles an unknown brain itch. Reverbed vocals, rumbly bass and swooping drums echo on swimming lessons as if from underwater, never quite reaching a refined clarity but leaning into this slightly muffled effect as Fitch talks of “treading water with my friends”, speaking to their efforts in the music industry that continues to demand more without throwing a lifeline. grand slam has a beach bandstand tinge to the guitar hooks and horns, the drums beginning restrained before ramping up as the lyrics talk of the band being destined to change their daydreams into big-time realities.
gimme my flowers is an emotionally charged track with an urgency to its rhythm and earnestness to the vocals that ask “do you ask about me now?”, pleading for someone to notice their performative behaviour and expecting acclaim for doing the bare minimum. playing for keeps’ castanets and finger snaps give a suave feel as the lyrics brim over with desperation to be set free from a toxic relationship told in a yearning tone that contradicts the red flag message, played out over sway-inducing guitar strums and shimmery drums. chainwhip rockets in out of the calm and delivers explosive choruses with instigating lyrics that have a clear target on corrupt authorities here to “serve and protect”, but instead beat the helpless and innocent in a display of power-hungry ignorance, “someone’s kid just hit the deck” being as incendiary as necessary.
worms treads the line between surf and alt-rock with twangy guitar notes, eerie synths and thudding bass under defeatist lyrics of “happiness might be an option”, a scrutiny of the endless cycle that is life and finding brief hits of dopamine where we can just to make it all bearable. fall like dominos skips in with a nostalgic indie dual riff to a steadily jogging drum beat and unrelenting bass, the upbeat melody a juxtaposition to the sorrowful lyrics of trying your hardest to stay positive for everyone else and trying to make everything fall into place. Closing track bail out! is riotous fun from the off, a rhythm that gallops through with rapid-fire riffs strummed in time to crashing drum beats, bass working overtime as it moves its way front and centre, echoing backing vocals of “ready to bail out” adding to the main vocals that take us on an anxiety-ridden journey of life struggles and the urge to escape it all. …with little ease is an album for the tired and disillusioned that tells them it’s not in their heads, but it’s not too late to change things.
Score: 8/10
...with little ease will be released on 18th September 2026 via Pale Chord/Rise Records
Words: Julia Stark
Photos: Abigail Mueller
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