The Empty Page: A Feminine Ending
(Self-released)
DL | Stream
The Empty Page are back on the vanguard for societal change with their new single A Feminine Ending. Its another hard-hitting yet ultimately celebratory opus which challenges the perception of ageing women in a world so often dominated by out of control male egos and expectations fostered within a toxic beauty industry.
Fresh from their barnstorming set in Manchester on Saturday opening the Club Academy stage as part of Louder Than War Live, one of our favourite independent champions of post-grunge, The Empty Page, are back with a new single A Feminine Ending. As a song which was showcased at that event, this is the third in a series of single releases recorded at Nave Studios, a former church in deepest Leeds, with producer Matt Peel (Eagulls/ Dream Wife/ Bodega). And A Feminine Ending is another song which pulls no punches as it tackles the challenges and expectations within an ageist society fostered by the toxicity which exudes from within the beauty industry, particularly against women.
The song opens in somewhat menacing psychedelic tones driven by Steve’s metronomic drum pattern and Giz’s repetitive guitar riff, before Kel’s subdued and heartfelt vocals start to unfold the pressures placed by society upon women through the ageing process and the perception that beauty aligns only with an industry driven stereotype of youthful looks. This anguished tone continues like a slow burning fuse ready to explode up until mid-song when Giz ramps it up with a squall of a grunge-fuelled raging guitar and the anger and resilience in Kel’s vocals really intensifies as she cites the fact that “They built an empire upon your self-hate, and they write you off as you age, as you evaporate.”
As the band explain, “It addresses the theory that women ‘disappear’ from the male gaze as they age, but rather than framing this as a bad thing, the song celebrates it. The song is a critique of the patriarchy aided and abetted by the beauty industry, in particular the anti-ageing racket. A hugely profitable sector that puts untold pressure on women to be ‘attractive’ and remain forever young. It is a pervasive and sinister message which begins in childhood. When you stop engaging with that rhetoric, you become free.”
In essence, A Feminine Ending offers a real sense of empowerment for women and stands as a rousing and triumphant mark of resilience suggesting that so long as women reject the beauty standards and expectations placed upon them, they can find a new sense of freedom. As the opening lines in the song proclaim, “What a relief! The beauty trap released. No more sobbing in changing rooms. You are at peace.”
The Empty Page have some upcoming live shows which are as follows:
March
25 – London – Blue Posts, Soho – Kick Out The Jams w/French Toast
May
03 – Shropshire – Loopfest
20 – Liverpool – Kazimier Stockroom (w/Charlie Houston)
July
26 – Dorset – Alice’s Wicked Teaparty
You can get tickets for live shows here.
You can stream or download the single here.
You can find The Empty Page on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bandcamp.
~
All words by Ian Corbridge. You can find more of his writing at his author profile here.
A Plea From Louder Than War
Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team, and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly. Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write, or hungry shareholders. We know times are tough, and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases, the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy. We are not driven by profit, just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about.
To us, music and culture are eveything, without them, our very souls shrivel and die. We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many, what we do is absolutely vital. Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute, and each sign-up makes a huge impact, helping to keep the flame of independent music burning! Please click the button below to help.
John Robb – Editor in Chief
