In the world of British synth pop, not many acts have managed to find the sweet spot between nostalgia and innovation quite like She’s Got Claws. The duo, fronted by singer and multi-instrumentalist Micci Lou alongside bassist Chris O-Ten, pair the dramatic intensity of darkwave with the shimmering appeal of melodic pop, crafting a sound which nods to the pioneers of the 1980s such as Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and The Human League while offering something entirely their own.
Taking their name from Gary Numan’s 1981 track, She’s Got Claws embodies the same creativity and futuristic edge that rippled throughout the early synth movement. But while their influences are readily apparent, the duo’s music injects the genre with new vitality and a distinctly human aesthetic, offering songs built from intricate layers of bass, synth and voice while exploring themes of identity, sexuality, determination and love.
Since debuting in 2017 with “Armchair Generals,” She’s Got Claws have earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting electronic acts. Their catalogue of singles, remixes, EPs and full-length releases, reflects a dedication to constant development and creative exploration, leading to 2020’s Doppelgänger, an LP that explored duality and self-reflection through slick production and thoughtful lyricism. It was a critically acclaimed album that confirmed their voice within the synth pop resurgence, bringing together classic influences within a modern framework.
Now, with their latest album titled Stronger The Faith, She’s Got Claws open a thrilling new chapter with a nine-track outing which captures the duo at their most confident and creatively assured. Written, produced and mastered over eighteen months in their independent studio, Micci, who handled programming, vocals, synths and engineering, guides the record’s emotional context, while Chris’s basslines form its rhythmic spine. Their collaborative process is organic; most songs begin with a bass motif, around which Micci builds vocal melodies and harmonic textures, resulting in music that feels alive with groove and wrapped in atmosphere.
Kicked off by the punchy synth rock energy of opening track “Rewind to Fade,” the bold pulse of popping bass lines, twang of stabby instrumental energy and expressive delivery of Micci’s lively vocals forms an infectious soundscape. Surging with charging energy, Micci’s voice soars alongside zapping synths to deliver a slick jam that puts their songwriting flair and performance talent on full display.
Next up, “Monsters from the ID” arrives with the taps of filtered percussion, building with the boom of rattling 80s style percussive vibes as gliding synth lines float above. With commanding vocals adding stretched melodies to the grooving synth pop scene, it’s another superb showcase of their engaging and highly original sonic output.
Other highlights on the record include songs like “Caterpillar People” with its downtempo groove of shuffling percussion and moody synth textures capped by belted vocals to cast an engrossing listening experience unlike any other. “No Return to Yesterday” flows with hazy trip hop vibes where the hypnotic pulse of drums and sweep of vocalisations form an immersive atmosphere for Micci’s vocals, at once hushed and intense, to hover above.
Closing the album with “Unbroken,” the buzz of stacked synth layers and patter of punchy drums gather pace to cast a rising sense of hurrying energy before the track launches into a driving sound of euphoric instrumental synth pop to present an exhilarating finale to the band’s sensational new album. From start to finish, Stronger The Faith serves up a gripping sound that’s unique, memorable and utterly enthralling in equal measure. It’s a reminder of why the genre continues to endure and that, sometimes, the most powerful sound comes from two people, a few machines and the belief that music still has something vital to say.
We caught up with She’s Got Claws to find out more about their inspirations, their creative process, their new album Stronger The Faith and more. Check out our interview with She’s Got Claws below.
Hey guys, how’s things?
We’re both doing great thanks, lots to do and lots to tell.
What’s new since we last spoke in November?
Chris: We’ve been busy in the studio putting the final touches to our new album ‘Stronger The Faith’ which drops on 20 February on Ditto Music. We are truly excited about this release, as we believe this album has something for everyone.
Micci: Yeah it’s been a long time coming, the last proper album was in 2020 with Doppelgänger. We are now very happy with Stronger The Faith, the best things take time to develop.
What are some of the musical influences that have shaped your sound?
Micci: I think we both have very different influences, so this makes an exciting combination of styles to create She’s Got Claws songs. I come mainly from a dance background, such as The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, also a huge nod towards NIN’s production and strong approach to songwriting, and to add a curveball I am inspired by the textures, melodies and layering which the French band AIR create within their songs. Chris has more of a new wave background.
Chris: For me, I began to be influenced by bass players, such as Andy McCluskey from OMD and then being inspired by Flea from RHCP and I’m a strong admirer of JJ Burnel from The Stranglers. Currently I’m loving Mike’s bass playing from Royal Blood and especially Georgie from The Nova Twins, to me she is one of the most innovative bassists around today.
What’s your creative process like when working together?
Chris: I start off by going through different bass effects, a sound can inspire me to play in a particular feel. Once I’m in the zone, other parts will come to me which can link to the main bass riff, all ready to hand over to Micci. I’m influenced by my bass not necessarily sounding like a traditional bass, as I find the sound of just a standard bass not that inspirational.
Micci: It usually begins with Chris giving me three to four different bass riffs, then I choose which ones work together as a song, then I program the drums (never using drum loops). Chris often leaves me alone in the studio so I can write the top melodies and vocals. I’m a bit of a hermit and like to be left in the zone to feel my way through ideas and arrangements.
How does your environment or hometown influence your songwriting and overall sound?
Micci: It doesn’t. I wouldn’t say that our environment inspires us as musicians, we are often made to feel like outcasts in our own City. Misunderstood and they think we’re weird but we don’t care tbh, we do what we do and we know that others further afield love our music.
Chris: Hull has spawned many great artists such as Mick Ronson and The Spiders were from Hull, The Housemartins and Norman Cook (Fat Boy Slim), Fine Young Cannibals (Roland Gift) and The Paddingtons. However, with She’s Got Claws our sound is completely our own and we haven’t heard anyone else around Hull who sounds remotely like us, so it would be difficult to create a scene here. Most electronic bands are predictable now and we don’t fit into this. When we gigged we felt more welcomed down south of the UK.
Do you approach songwriting differently now compared to when the band first started?
Micci: Absolutely yes, because I first began on a very old system with analogue gear and a basic DAW and the Debut album back in 2012 was written purely on this hardware, with crazy looms and PB 48 patchbays to my Soundcraft 32 Channel, 8 Bus Mixing Desk. Today, I use the Soundcraft for rehearsals and monitoring the songs written, produced and mixed on my Mac Computer using Logic Pro. Everything is more spontaneous but occasionally I do miss all the ‘hands on’ method to mixing and engineering.
What was the first song you ever wrote together?
Chris: A song called ‘Tears In The Rain’. No one has ever heard this song, these were the very first lyrics and bass riff (slap bass!). One day we may bring it out of the archives and make it a SGC song. The 2nd song we wrote was called ‘Just Leave’ which became My Siren. The funny thing about this song is that I wrote the bass riff sat in the studio on my own late at night, the following evening Micci came round and I said “I think I have this really cool bass riff, very melodic and brooding” I started playing the riff and Micci said “I think the lyrics I wrote late last night in my flat might fit”. They fitted perfectly, we both wrote the parts of this song in different locations, how weird is that?!
Micci: Yeah I was sat in my flat late at night around midnight, just lying on the floor watching TV and began to write these words. Never thought they would ever be used, but I felt they needed to be written down that night. Chris and I were meant to write songs together.
What are you three favourite albums of all time?
Micci: 10,000hz Legend by AIR, Midnight Boom by The Kills, Colors by Beck.
Chris: Dare by Human League (it is just an album of pure electronic perfection) I do go through phases .. one minute I blast our OMD’s Architecture and Morality which is another synth classic album, then next I will be playing Royal Blood, Wet Leg and Nova Twins on a loop. I think I’m a music schizophrenic and every year I change. For pure bass perfection this has be I Assassin by Gary Numan with the one and only Pino Palladino who is a bass genius.
How did you find making your new album ‘Stronger The Faith’?
Micci: It didn’t come easy because we had to beat Doppelgänger, which to our fans is their favourite album to date. We wanted this new album more song based and push boundaries with production and programming. Chris was determined that he didn’t want his bass to sound like a bass and the bass is so multi-tracked with so many effects and blended with synth effects that you wouldn’t believe!
What’s been the most satisfying thing about releasing a full-length LP?
Chris: Knowing that we’ve written the best songs to date without having major financial backing from a label. We are a cottage industry and a true artist who’s been allowed to develop. Everything written and the visuals are from the pair of us and we are so very proud of our achievements within the music industry. We would like to think any A&R person who is worth their salt and not influenced by silly trends will listen to our music and immediately sign us, because we deserve to be signed and be given the opportunity to solicit our music to a much larger audience that only they can only make possible.
Micci: As a self-financed artist we rely on fans to push us out there through word of mouth and sharing our songs on socials. Algorithms are ruled by big businesses and for a musician to break through can be soul destroying because many people online have to be told what to like and social platforms block self-financed artists so they are unable to reach new fans, they just want money and every day I am badgered with ‘boost your post’. I am proud that we have completed our new album to how we have always heard it in our heads and hearts, this we are satisfied about, but the environment to promote this album is very toxic and cruel.
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from the release?
Chris: We believe that there is a song for every experience; If you are feeling trapped, down, plagued by a psycho ex .. We feel there is something within this album where you will say “Yeah I get that 100%”
Micci: We write from the heart and our experiences, so we hope that many of these songs will resonate with most people and their lives. One day we will write a sweet happy love song.. it’s a challenge we accept.
What was the most exciting moment while bringing the LP to life?
Micci: When we’ve burned a CD of the full album in order and blasting it in the studio for the very first time…
Chris: Seeing our hard work of 18 months being complete as a whole product
Micci: And the audio comes to life with the visuals from the artwork and music videos we create too.
Chris: Did I mention that when we are choosing the order of the album, it’s a ritual that we go to the pub with a notebook and drink lots until the order is both agreed, this is always a fun day
How do you hope your music connects with fans, especially those discovering you through this album?
Chris: We are truly hoping that this album will connect with many people on many emotional levels, because many people use music as a diary to their life. You will always remember the song that played when you fell in love, just like the song when the relationship ends, we use music to catalogue our lives and the album is multi-faceted. I am hoping that people truly get this album on a personal level.
Lastly, are there any upcoming projects or releases we can look forward to?
Micci: Apart from ‘Stronger The Faith’ album which drops 20 February, we have the 3rd single from this album called ‘Lipstick Honey’. This single drops 6 March with an official music video which will premier on our YouTube channel on the 6 March too. It’s also time to begin writing more songs so we have a selection to choose from for an EP we are in process of creating and this will be released much later on in the year.
Chris: I’ve given Micci new bass riffs and she’s added basic drum rhythms and is working on the synths, which are classic She’s Got Claws. So watch this space for more music!
Listen to Stronger The Faith below
More from Albums
New full-length record from Divergent
While some musical ambitions take a little longer to find their moment, the journey for Iowa-based trio Divergent has been …
New album from Ashot Danielyan
Based in Moscow, pianist, composer and improviser Ashot Danielyan has spent more than a decade developing a musical output that …
Bryan Howell returns with new studio album
Originally hailing from central New York and now based in Nashville, Bryan Howell has spent more than a decade developing …
