Fresh - Withdraw Fresh

Written over the course of never-ending tours with the likes of The Beths, The Winter Passing and Caves, frontperson Kathryn Woods says these travels informed a record that focuses on everything from love and independence to anger and frustration. While Withdraw has the stuck-in-your-head-for-days choruses that Fresh became known for on their debut, lyrically, Woods has evolved into an assured and visceral songwriter. She tried freeform writing for the first time and made a conscious effort to censor and question herself less when composing the songs. I also tried to write with other people in mind. Normally these people were friends, which put me in a more compassionate headspace. I was influenced by Willa Cather, my friends, and my therapist, she says. Once again recorded by Happy Accidents member Rich Mandell, Woods also pushed herself vocally. As a woman in indie/punk, I felt like I had to sing a certain way/play a certain way in order to gain respect. I didn't want to push myself vocally on the first album because I wanted to be taken seriously as a guitarist, as a "real musician". This album doesn't have that fear because I realised that I can be a musician in whatever way I want, and that guitar and vocals don't exist in competition. Withdraw is a record packed full of cathartic pop punk bangers that ll have you singing your heart out. It s an album that says it s okay to be yourself, that it s okay to feel everything all at once.