The punk-rock duo Mela Schulz and Peppi Ahrens came here to chew bubblegum and smash the patriarchy – and they’re all out of bubblegum. Having supported the likes of IDLES, Sleaford Mods and The Beatsteaks, CAVA – Berlin’s version of The White Stripes – are back with a second album following last year’s debut, Damage Control.
On their new record, Schulz and Peppi only use guitar and drums to smash through energetic punk-rock riffs with heavy percussions, howls of frustration and lots of aggression. Targeted at the music industry, Powertrip deals primarily with the lack of diversity within the city’s rock scene, and how draining it is to try and change it.
From the self-explanatory ‘Burn your house down’ to the ear-curdling sound of ‘No voice’, CAVA are here to fuck things up and cavort on their own power trip, looking to readdress the diversity quotas. And if they can’t do it, then maybe it really is time to burn the house down. ★★★★
- Out now from Buback.
