Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

The Margaret Hooligans – Witch On The Corner (2023)

While they hope to live up to their influences James Brown, The Who, Miles Davies, The White Stripes and Fiona Apple, The Margaret Hooligans is a duo that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Serious about their music but quite chilled about themselves, Meg Cratty and Mr Strontium create a sound that is entertaining, fun and can paste a smile on your face whatever the situation. From ‘Red Rider’ to ‘Hey Love’, the pair have kept us captivated with their genre-defying melodies. Come with us as we delve into their latest release ‘Witch On The Corner’.

Hot on the heels of their single ‘The Lost Stilt Walkers’, ‘Witch On The Corner’ takes a hard rock melody tinges it with alternative rock and slathers a blues tone on the top. While the pair are not to be pigeonholed, they have a signature sound that is utterly The Margaret Hooligans, and this is evident in ‘Witch On The Corner’. With a full blast of “in your face” attitude, Meg Cratty’s powerhouse vocals meet Mr Strontium’s pounding drums and really slap you on the cheek. No, they don’t slap you on the cheek with this pulsating melody, they slam you into a sonic wall with it. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.

Always eager to embrace provocative topics with a carefully structured storytelling charm, ‘Witch On The Corner’ is a harsh tale of “gentrification wrapped up in family myth”. The Margaret Hooligans explain that “it tells the story of a disgruntled woman who views newcomers as foes until she meets the one that has her number.” Brash and bold, the punk undertones capture the tetchy character of this disgruntled protagonist; however, the same brash quality points out that newcomer who “has her number”. Either way, it’s a fun single that has you twirling about at a whiplash speed with a maniacal grin on your face.


For more from The Margaret Hooligans, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator