Strangled Darlings – “The Snake and The Girl” MP3 (PopMatters Premiere)

Portland’s Strangled Darlings bring punk intensity to folk pop and completely bust the mold, creating smart, irreverent tunes using classic acoustic folk instrumentation paired with rough, impassioned vocals. The lyrics are more political and confrontational than the rather observational style that you often hear in folk. Think of it rather like the Clash with an indie Northwestern American aesthetic and acoustic instruments instead of Telecasters and Fender Precisions. George Veech and Jessica Anderly lead Strangled Darlings, playing tenor banjo, mandolin, cello, fiddle, and bass, while they bring in friends to add percussion and jazzy horn bits.

The group’s latest album, Red Yellow & Blue releases 15 May via Mudfarm Records. Today we bring you the premiere of the album’s opening track, “Snake & The Girl”, which takes on organized religion in a big way, saying “stand up for yourself… be your own goddamn salvation.”