Melanie Baker announces debut album ‘Somebody Help Me, I’m Being Spontaneous!’

Newcastle-based indie newcomer Melanie Baker announces debut album ‘Somebody Help Me, I’m Being Spontaneous!’ (pre-order here),set for release April 10th via Tambourhinoceros (School of X), and shares brand new single ‘Bored’, out now.

A cheeky, guitar-driven break-up anthem turning frustration into fizzy defiance, ‘Bored’ marks the second reveal from the musician’s first full-length record (following November lead single ‘Sad Clown’); with subtle verses exploding into wall-of-sound choruses and an exhilarating guitar solo as she channels Courtney Barnett’s wry vocal delivery.

A wily exercise in cartoon realism, Baker’s forthcoming debut LP sees her turn to absurdist humour, highlighted by the album’s Truman Show-referencing title and the carnival chaos of its cover art. With pounding drums, fuzzy guitars, and tender lyrical precision, Baker reclaims the grit and spirit of ’90s alt-rock through a queer, modern lens.

Fresh from supporting the likes of The Wytches, Maximo Park and Heidi Curtis in recent times, as well as a Mercury Prize Fringe showcase gig in Newcastle, Baker’s phenomenal live prowess is certainly developing at an impressive rate. Primed to build on early plaudits from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit, Dork Magazine, Rough Trade, Under The Radar and La Blogotheque, in addition to airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music (Lauren Laverne, Craig Charles + Steve Lamacq in-studio interview) and extensive BBC Introducing support both on BBC Radio 1 and from Shakk in the North East, the indie specialist is set to announce extensive live plans to accompany her debut album’s arrival in the spring. 

Detailing ‘Bored’, Baker explained:

“It’s a sarcastic break-up song about the girl who got away (but left you for your best mate) so you sure as hell hope she still thinks about you anyway. I was spending a lot of time alone in my studio, learning to let go and learning to have fun again. I knew I wanted it to have a really silly Weezer-esque solo and blink-182-esque guitar riffs, I think I even pulled up a Busted song as a reference when I sent it to my bandmate, Adam. He sent it back to me the same day with all of the drums tracked and the new fun, crunchy guitar lines. I was so excited because it was so silly and unserious, which is so different from my usual songwriting (sad, angsty doom and gloom). The lyrics are meant to be kind of sarcastic and playful. I thought the line “I can’t think straight anymore” was a funny double entendre for fully revelling in all of the Queer joy I was experiencing as well as totally crashing out over this weird break-up I experienced when “the girl of my dreams” left me for my guy best friend.”

Melanie Baker’s ‘Bored’ is out now via Tambourhinoceros and available on all digital platforms.

‘SOMEBODY HELP ME, I’M BEING SPONTANEOUS!’ Tracklist

01 – AAAAAHHHHHHHHH
02 – Sad Clown
03 – HAHA!
04 – Bored
05 – Why Would I Want To Be Like You?
06 – Cabin Fever
07 – My Head Fell Off Last Night
08 – Real Life
09 – City Strange
10 – Bye Bye, Loser Blues
11 – Slugs
12 – You’ll Get Better