shame with GHOSTWOMAN

A reckless thrill ride for those who drive without purpose, seeking speed not for reason but for pleasure. It is powered by hungera craving for what you've been told you don't deserve. Raw and unapologetic, it belongs to the person who arrives at a party uninvited because they have nowhere else to go after being pushed down. When you possess nothing, you have nothing to lose. This philosophy defines shame's most blistering work. The band describes themselves as cowards, cunts, hypocritesacknowledging that many such people exist today. With Grammy-winning producer John Congleton guiding the sound, the new album is amplified and electrified, precisely where they wish to be. Still five childhood friends in their twenties, shame has grown exponentially, bringing ambitious sonic visions with technical ability to match. Having already proven themselves through legendary performances and three critically acclaimed records, they entered Cutthroat prepared to forge a new Ground Zero. This is about who we are, Steen explains; our live shows are not performance art but direct, confrontational, raw expressions of identity. We inhabit chaotic times, yet the message isn't "Poor me"it's "Fuck you." A key element in this incendiary shift was producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen), whose no-nonsense approach became a guiding force to streamline their ideas. Infused with shame's signature humor, the album tackles today's major issues while gleefully mocking them. With Trump occupying the White House and shame based at Salvation Studios in Brighton, they scrutinized themes of conflict and corruption; hunger and desire; lust, envy, and the ever-present shadow of cowardice. Musically, the record explores visceral new directions. Coyle-Smith had previously treated electronic loops as separate from his songwriting for shame, but realized they could mergeanything could work if it sounded right and was executed correctly. Cutthroat's first single and title track embodies this approach, delivering a three-minute indie dancefloor anthem of barely-contained attitude. It also introduces the album's lyrical perspective: where cocksure arrogance and deep insecurity are two sides of the same coin. Steen notes that he studied Oscar Wilde plays focused on paradox; in Cutthroat, it echoes Lady Windermeres Fan's idea that life is too important to be taken seriously.