By Lily Cresswell

Bored at My Grandma’s House, a project by Amber Strawbridge, have released their first track in nearly two-years, with chilled out tune ‘Inhibitions’.

The track exudes a moody vibe, with an extended instrumental opening that highlights the tinny lead guitar, layered melodically with softer rhythmic plucks, underneath which are heavily distorted and echoed chords, adding a heaviness deeper within the mix.

Strawbridge’s vocals bring a lightness to the track when the suspense is finally released at nearly fifty seconds in. The smooth, buttery vocals sit apart from the rest of the mix in a purposeful and effective way, creating a juxtaposition between the twang of the guitar and the creaminess of the voice. The track’s title is emphasised throughout the song, with Strawbridge taking particular care over the pronunciation: ‘in-ha-bitions’. This hard ‘h’ acts as a sort of staccato stress, drawing the listener to the anxiety infused lyrics. 

One third of the way through the track the distortion ramps up, with layered vocals adding a crunchy texture leading us to a slight climax. This tension is then released suddenly, with the guitar and vocals tailing off, giving the listener a false sense of resolution. This feeling is quickly altered as a sharp, attacking drumbeat enters, contrasted with slow acoustic chord strums, creating a welcomed break before diving back into the track as before.  

‘Inhibitions’ is a simple track, imbued with feelings of anxiety from the singer, reflected in jarring contrasts between the guitar, drums, and voice. Strawbridge’s vocals are the star of the show and give the song life, whilst maintaining an air of moodiness that feels both natural and relatable. We hope fans won’t have to wait another twenty-two months for the next instalment from Bored at My Grandma’s House!