Premiere - Sydney Femme-Punks DOWNGIRL Unleash 'Manic'

Sydney/Gadigal femme-punks DOWNGIRL continue their attack on the Aussie underground today with four and a half minutes of epic rock goodness Manic. 

The cathartic Manic arrives accompanied by an unsettling video. Premiering exclusively via Kill Your Stereo today, the video was directed by Stackhat and reflects a distorted reality with scenes of the band members at home, but flipped upside down. Things progressively get weirder. One band member draws a widening circle of smudged pink lipstick in repeated motions while forcing an unconvincing smile. Another beats drumsticks against a box of Froot Loops, while a third, screams into a toilet.

It's disorienting and uncomfortable to watch, much like experiencing the timewarp of lockdown and getting caught in the mental battlefield of too much time spent alone. The mania-fuelled chorus is emphasised with DOWNGIRL piling into the car for a head-banging / scream-along drive down a tree-lined road.

The video is the perfect accompaniment for Manic which sees a gradual build of gritty riffs and fury-driven drums match the energy of the lyrical confessions that escalate with a fight or flight intensity. By the time it gets there, it fervently begs for relief with a euphoric, wall-to-wall noise-filled chorus and its refrain, Manic. The song hits like shots of cinnamon whisky - hard, fast and to dizzying effect, with a sweet but spicy aftertaste. Each member gives it their all and collectively let go like an unrelenting force of nature.

DOWNGIRL on the track's origin:

"Manic was written during Sydney's last pandemic lockdown as a back and forth via the WWW. It explores mental health issues and the responsibility we must take for them during a time which is insular and introspective."

Explosive and energetic femme nu punk / grunge-rockers DOWNGIRL have doused stages around their hometown in Gadigal land in their highly flammable sonic kerosene and are kicking things up a notch with the release of Manic, which will be officially released, tomorrow, September 30.

Born out of the ashes of punk outfit BOYSCLUB, DOWNGIRL formed online during the 2021 lockdown and have quickly gained plenty of momentum. Within the space of a year, they've supported FANGZ and Battlesnake, cutting their teeth on lineups for Doomed Friday, Bonez Queer Party, Winter Magic Revival Festival headlined by Hermitude, Haiku Hands and Urthboy, and are set to tear it up at Chopped Festival with Amyl And The Sniffers later this year. The four-piece also just played with one half of The Veronicas for Jessie333’s new music video for Seeing Stars.

Manic follows DOWNGIRL's dynamite first single, Beauty Queen. Get caught up in the addictive headbanging goodness of Manic and then witness it in the flesh when they head out on tour.

DOWNGIRL Manic Tour

October 16 - Soda Factory, Sydney
November 12 - The Lass, Newcastle
November 19 - Cherry Bar, Melbourne