Desire Pathway

Screaming Females’ ‘Desire Pathway’ lacks the punch that makes the band’s past work so infectious, opting instead to kick consistency and the catchy riffs and hooks the band’s known for to the curb.

Though the guitar heavy indie rock darlings still bring ideas to the table that peers wish they could conjure up, they mostly fail to craft compelling tracks upon these concepts. “Titan,” “Let Me into Your Heart” and “Ornament” are worth a listen but pale in comparison to the group’s best songs. “Brass Bell” is the one track that holds up to the standards Screaming Females have set for themselves but feels short-winded, as does a good chunk of the project. Most of that wind blows in one ear and out the other.

Here’s hoping ‘Desire Pathway’ is just a bump in the road between ‘All At Once’ and whatever they come out with next.