REVIEW: Shortdaughter - Promo 26

While still a brand-new venture and yet to be known, SHORTDAUGHTER are undoubtedly a band that have overflowing potential to reach peak heights with their annihilating EP Promo 26, releasing 8th May. Hailing from Manchester, the newcomer alt-punk rock duo blend a variety of punk, emo, and hardcore genres into a sound that feels like being kicked in the teeth and asking for more. SHORTDAUGHTER is self-described as a vent system for lead singer Red Longson to “yell about men” and for guitarist/instrumentalist Cameron Wilson to “write silly dance parts and bounce-alongs”. And that perfectly sums up exactly what to expect from Promo 26.

It’s a rage-fuelled, lightning-fast cacophony of cutting lyrics focused on the entitlement of creepy men and the screen-obsessed, daily doomscrolling society we live in, overlaying a cohesive hardcore sound with experimental segments and quick-fire tempo changes. Promo 26 is an EP to cathart to with the inaugural track, titled with hilariously fitting Eww!!!. Fuzzed guitar blasts through with stomping drums, the pace changing from fast-paced to breaking the sound barrier, switching from a pop-punk feel to a scuzz-punk sound as Red belts out powerfully about misogynistic men who can’t take a fucking hint. 

Breathe begins in the same muffled guitar vein as Eww!!! before a gradual drum roll flips the track into a crashing alt-rock sound with dangerous guitar riffs, walking us through with low vocals before Red turns the heat higher and brings us a track that cuts to the bone about wishing her valentine “the very worst goodbyes” in a raw scream. Layered vocals harmonise in the background under her emotive voice, fading briefly before the bridge launches into turbulent screams and Cam’s roaring instrumentals and an understated game-like synth carries us to the end.

Completely out of the blue but jarringly entertaining, I Don’t Trust My Screen, I Trust Myself starts with a Japanese monologue (potentially taken from an anime, bragging points to you if you recognise it!), before ripping into a fired up punk-rock riff, dropping into a quietened steady beat before uppercutting back into a wicked rhythm, Red giving an acidic breakdown of never having a day off from society’s bullshit in a constant doomscroll, blaring out in a scathing shout “no peace, no cease” while the instruments reverberate and add force to the message.

SHORTDAUGHTER are already proving they’re no-nonsense, experimenting with alt-punk rock sounds and genres while sticking to their core values and figuring out what works for them. Promo 26 delivers a sound that has the guts and range to attract a wide audience, whether it’s the music or the message you feel an affinity for. With more music releasing later this year and a slot on the upcoming Manchester Yule Fest, this is a duo that has towering ambition and the moxie to achieve it.

Score: 7/10

Promo 26 will be self released on 8th May 2026.

Words: Julia Stark

Photos: Shortdaughter