Courtney Barnett- Bringing Sincere Punk Sensibility back to the Mainstream

Aussie singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett is possibly one of the most intriguing and exciting new artists on the global music block. Her singles 'Pedestrian at Best' and 'Dead Fox' have won deserved praise and seem to transcend age groups with their playful guitar riffs and disgustingly witty lyricism. The energetic yet effortless sardonic intellectualism weaving through her lyrics combined with raw expressions of emotional thought and reactions to a messed up modern world make for affecting listening. As one youtuber put it:

"Fuckin hell. When I finally stumbled on her music, it was a breath of fresh air. It reminds me of my late 80's/ early to mid 90's alternative rock bands that I love so much!"

 

 Which is what Barnett really seems to offer and what listeners seem to respond to. The self effacing nature of her songs, the concern for the world, the detached, exasperated tone and beat poet use of language are a mixture that only the best in grunge and punk achieved. A mixture that has been sadly missing from music for a while now.

In a world where we are expected to play many roles, to care about so many things, Barnett gives voice to the impossibility of it all, the good intent and the sense of individual failure against the big problems facing the world. One of the best tracks of her LP I Just Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit is 'Kim's Caravan', which has that dark tone and rambling poetic lyrics of seminal bands like Nirvana or great poets like Patti Smith. Rather than preachy Barnett is able to talk about issues about environmentalism creatively, not raising herself up as a model human for her concern, she instead always infers she has no definitive answer. These songs are her creative expression of the powerlessness felt by many, yet defiant in tone and content, refusing to go gently into the night of consumerist culture, Barnett slams out powerful guitar riffs and lyrics which help us all wake up a bit. A much needed reminder of punk sensibility in a most un-punk time.