Listen to Screaming Females’ hard-hitting Rose Mountain via NPR Music

In a nearly decade-long career, New Brunswick’s Screaming Females have released six studio albums and have not once shyed away from their hard-hitting rock ‘n roll influences.

With the release of Rose Mountain through their hometown label, Don Giovanni Records, the three-piece punk trio stay true to their sound while expanding into much more with complex riffs and barreling basslines. The ten-track album has been streaming at NPR Music in advance of its release tomorrow, and the band plays a Philly show on Friday night.

The album opens with a 90’s punk feel on “Empty Head;” Marissa Paternoster’s power-packed vocals are backed by a simple, head-bobbing bassline from Mike Abbate, building into a classic rock ‘n roll guitar solo by Paternoster.

On the three-and-a half-minute “Wishing Well,” the band takes a mellower approach with sweet, amiable riffs accompanied by an upbeat drum pattern by Jarrett Dougherty. Paternoster’s nervy vocals preach a symbolic set of lyricism with, “Find peace at the end of the line/ The dial tone is your true love.”

The album closes with the catchy, chord-progressing “Criminal Image.” Each instrument in the track highlights one another, including a little ditty on the piano backed by a drum solo. There is a great deal of Paternoster’s always-apprecaited howling, honest vocals throughout this album.

Screaming Females play Friday night at the First Unitarian Church with Priests, Tenement, and Vacation; tickets and more information can be found here. Listen to Rose Mountain via NPR Music here, and check out “Wishing Well” below.