12. ZOO KID "OUT GETTING RIBS"

this is an outstanding track by 16 year old South-east Londoner Zoo Kid {Archy Marshall}, called Out Getting Ribs from his 7" single "Out Getting Ribs / Has This Hit" (2010).

"Recessions, depressions and sociology lessons."

Marshall's voice is raw et direct, 'unedited', emotionally resonant, he lays himself bare. Out Getting Ribs is an anguished confession, recalling fellow bedroom pop singer/songwriter Perfume Genius, but this is uniquely et undeniably British. we get a strong sense of weight et desperation, this song needed to be sung, it has a reason for existence, it is pure catharsis. yet it is indisputably a pop song, a devastatingly good pop song.

"Don't break away, I'll waste away ..."

the echoing forlorn strum of a guitar, plucking away thoughtfully, slowly building momentum, courage, each chord change weighted with memory et anguish, a tortured wail, followed by a pained declaration: "Hate runs through my blood", this is a damaged love song, Marshall gruffly croons/vents, his bleak lyrics grounded, real, youthful, his wounds palpably fresh, his vocals hold our attention the entire song, this heart-wrenching confession from a stranger is riveting, we are compelled to listen, we can't ignore him, we let him get it off his chest, then part company, each going in opposite directions.

Ribs is a deceitfully sparse track, subtle layers of abstract/digital textures, layered guitar playing, picking notes one moment, strumming the next all key us into Marshall's emotional head space. the inclusion of ambient studio noises, coughs, clicks, bumps {usually edited out} only adds to the songs heartfelt sincerity giving it a raw 'kitchen sink' quality. one such moment occurs near the end of the track, we hear Marshall apologize for stuffing up a chord change, its inclusion expresses his emotional investment in the song, making it all the more compelling.

curiously the song title takes it's name from a work by Jean Michel Basquiat, the words "Out Getting Ribs" are written on a paper napkin.


MP3: Out Getting Ribs

check out Marshall's great performance in the video for Out Getting Ribs.

Zoo Kid - Out Getting Ribs

the "Out Getting Ribs / Has This Hit" 7" is available from House Anxiety Records. you can also check out his bandcamp to hear more tracks, Ocean bed is a standout.

you can find Zoo Kid here: myspace | facebook | lastfm