Shelf Lives conduct an electro-punk wellness check on ‘You Okay?’

Shelf Lives’ vivacious ‘You Okay?’ is now available on most streaming platforms via Modern Sky. An electric display of seven tracks rooted in riotous electro-punk, the duo describe the chaos and turmoil of a society engulfed in greed and shallowness. In conjunction with the EP, Shelf Lives offer the shimmering echoes of bass and four-on-the floor goodness in the form of new single KIDS.

Shelf Lives uniquely marry the erratic with the conventional on the prismatic ‘You Okay?’. Each track is coated with intense emotion, vigor, and melodic hooks that offer a strong contrast against the intense, often screeching guitars and synths heard throughout. A fierce testimony to society on the brink of collapse, the EP offers relatable sentiments that are bound to offer catharsis for listeners worldwide.

Recently coming off of a fiery tour with trio Snayx, the duo also supported Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs in Nottingham. ‘You Okay?’ follows the electrifying singles Off The Rails and All Grown Up, with the former receiving a nod as BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Track of the Week. Already building an impressive roster of wins and appraisal, Shelf Lives are on a path towards becoming the best new phenomena of electronic post-punk in the years to come.

When discussing themes of the EP, Shelf Lives write: “You Okay?’ is like one big fun mental breakdown. We offer a unique perspective with each track, with the idea of providing glimpses through various lenses, allowing us to explore diverse experiences of what kind of world we live in.  As a whole the EP captures the delicate balance, we constantly find ourselves in, always on the edge of a seemingly societal collapse. It’s a wonder how willingly we contribute to this intricate dance, and our EP serves as a testament to the curious nature of our collective participation.  Do with that information as you will, everyone will relate to the tracks differently and find a unique meaning.  Mental breakdowns are a personal experience, after all”

Shelf Lives You Okay? Cover artwork

You Okay?’ track list

1. All Grown Up

2. KIDS

3. PVC Real Estate

4. Off The Rails

5. Skirts & Salads (vinyl release only)

6. All The Problems (vinyl release only)

7. BITE (vinyl release only)b

Order the vinyl via Blood Records here

Live dates

26th October 2023 – Sebright Arms, London

3rd November 2023 – Arte Concert Festival, Paris w/ The Kills & Jehnny Beth

5th January 2024 – Rockaway Beach, Bognor Regis

28th Feb – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

More about Shelf Lives

Shelf Lives press photo
Photo by Zac Mahrouche

Uniting from Toronto and Northampton respectively, but now based in London, Shelf Lives is the brainchild of vocalist Sabrina Di Giulio and guitarist/producer Jonny Hillyard. Previous projects like  ‘Yes, offence’  lean heavier on the dancy outbursts of guitar riffs by marrying extravagant beats with darkly comedic hooks. This is a recipe Shelf Lives has consistently kept true to, and the results take shape in sonic emblems that never fail to tell an invigorating story. At the forefront, the band makes energetic pop songs that bring the abrasiveness and physicality of punk back to a small, cramped house party setting. Creating music so rowdy you can practically feel the sweat on the ceiling and the sound of crushed cans under your feet, Shelf Lives have won over scores of praise from the likes of NME, Dork, The Line Of Best Fit, Clash, and Jack Saunders of BBC Radio 1. 

Pairing hardcore punk’s brief bursts of energy with electroclash’s minimal and sleazy sonics, Shelf Lives raise themes of societal collapse and hyper-consumerism with a warped smile. Most recently, Shelf Lives prismatic brand of exciting electro-punk has enabled them slots at The Great Escape Festival, FOCUS Wales, Liverpool Sound City, and Glastonbury Festival. Though Shelf Lives have only been a band since 2021, the exhilarating duo have supported an impressive roster of artists including a full EU/UK tour with Skunk Anansie to performing on shows alongside THUMPER, Skating Polly, and Panic Shack.

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