Blondshell feat. Bully [Docket]
It’s blistering yet melodic, detailing uncertainty and temptation in unfamiliar places.
[Photo credit: Muriel Knudson. https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-blondshell-and-bully-new-song-docket/]
I’m nothing if not a sucker for angsty anthems, and Blondshell, AKA Sabrina Teitelbaum, has produced just that with her new alt-rock single ‘Docket.’ Teitelbaum, a New York native, previously released music under the name BAUM with a series of Soundcloud pop tracks which were fine but slightly uninspiring. Rebranding as Blondshell after becoming sober in 2019, and taking inspiration from the likes of PJ Harvey and Hole, she released an angry yet uplifting debut self-titled album in 2023 on Partisan Records, full of references to the TV show Veronica Mars (a classic) and bad sex, to commentary on a friend’s sexual assault and the revenge fantasies it inspired (poisoning his salad, another classic).
With this latest single, she asks the help of Bully, the solo project for singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer, Alice Bognanno. Her fourth studio album, ‘Lucky for You,’ released by Sub Pop in 2023, was a superb, shoe-gaze, pop-rock anthology inspired by the passing of her dog, Mezzi. The partnership between Blondshell and Bully was borne of mutual respect and love of each other’s musical discography. Teitelbaum felt something was missing with her latest track: “I kept hearing Bully’s voice on it.” Bully’s soft, gravelly vocals add another element of disquiet and unease and the combined power in this collaboration is palpable. It’s blistering yet melodic, detailing uncertainty and temptation in unfamiliar places.
When speaking to Rolling Stone, Teitelbaum said of the track: “…this is a song about splitting off from yourself.” The lyrics are a real dichotomy of indecision, wandering lust and forbidden attraction, “Isn’t it wrong? When I’m gone / I look around at the options / I put men on the docket.” She’s torn between temptation and familiarity, and the lure of touring life, asking the question of whether being attracted to other people counts as cheating.
The verses build gradually into a scorching, stadium-worthy chorus full of self-loathing and driving chords: “He should be with someone who’s more in love / Not someone eating for free / My worst nightmare is me.” It’s so catchy I’ve been singing it in my head for the past week.
Anyone who has pressed the self-destruct button in relationships will surely relate to the age-old pattern of falling for the excitement of forbidden fruit, “And it’s cruel to let you love me / I don’t want what I need.” Blondshell has perfected this charming self-deprecation that littered her debut album. Although she’s tough on herself throughout the track, she also satisfyingly owns the self-sabotage, like she won’t take any shit for it because she’s already given it to herself and she doesn’t care what you think about it anyway. The alternating verses with Bully are an excellent addition, their powerful intertwining voices build each other up rather than fighting for space. The track is full of blustering, distorted guitars, pounding drums and frank honesty.
There are exciting times ahead for Blondshell. She is due to feature on the upcoming Talking Heads tribute album from A24, along with the likes of BADBADNOTGOOD, The Linda Lindas, Toro Y Moi, Girl in Red, Lorde and Miley Cyrus. Bully recently released a new single, ‘Atom Bomb,’ a move away from her usual guitar-heavy productions with a vulnerable piano ballad, her signature rasp as raw as ever. The connection between them is really exciting and I would love a full album collaboration à la Boygenius. Please?
Listen to ‘Docket’ here: