Bones in Butter – ‘Songs For a Sane Society’ (Self-released, 2023)

Bones in Butter – ‘Songs For a Sane Society’
(Self-released, 2023)

Serbian band Bones In Butter’s recent full-length release ‘Songs For a Sane Society’ is 12 tracks (plus 3 bonuses) of post punk goodness. Bones in Butter is the brainchild of Swiss born Milutin Krasevic, joined by five of Belgrade’s most creative indie musicians, vocalist Luna Skopelja, guitarist Todor Zivkovic, bassist Dejan Skopelja, drummer Fedja Franklin, and mixer Srjdan Popov. The sextet has an intriguing output of melancholic goth mixed with post punk and 60s psychedelic. Inspirational muses for the band include Electric Light Orchestra, Magazine, The Stranglers, The Velvet Underground, and Wire.

‘Songs For a Sane Society‘’s first tune ‘So Alone’ is a clear example of ELO’s inspiration in atmospheric instrumentation, in conjunction with The Brian Jonestown Massacre-esque vocals. Keep in mind all comparisons to classic rock or psychedelic artists should have the added footnote of: “if they were goth.” There’s a darkness that permeates throughout the record, despite a good many having an upbeat, twinkly vibe. ‘Littlewing’ is perhaps the key track off this record, it brings to mind the singsongy speaking voice of Syd Barrett along with the playground psychedelia of ‘The Madcap Laughs’. Picture a demented stranger singing to your baby’s pram, soothing them, despite your panic – this is ‘Littlewing’. ‘A Dystopian Love Song’ – which also has a Fuhri Mix bonus track version towards the end of the LP – is another example of the playful vocal style reminiscent of luminaries Barrett, Ian Dury, and especially Lou Reed. Third track off ‘Songs For a Sane Society’, ‘They Live’ is a highly tense experience, pulse pounding, guitars taut and anxious yet completely in control like they’re a Wallenda on a tightrope. Close runner up for key track in my books. Ironically ‘Sad Girl’ is one of the more joyful tunes off ‘Sane Society’, shining it’s janglepop aura on the listener; whilst ‘Her Cave’ brings us on a slow and sensual ride, with languorous vocal enunciation, rhythm and beat keeping, making for five minutes of losing yourself, entranced. As the album progresses the songs become more experimental, finding rhythm and purpose in meaningful jamming, ‘Scenes From the Metro’ is a soundscape unto itself. One of the three bonus tracks, ‘Beyond the Sea’ is a wistful love song, no frills about it, and something in its straightforwardness instrumentally and in its lamentful lyrics puts it on a separate pedestal from the rest.