Crate Digging: Jen Moss, Music Supervisor
Jen Moss, music supervisor at SIREN, discusses her top two finds from Concord Label Group.
Little Rope by Sleater-Kinney
I’m ashamed to say that I came to worship at the altar of Sleater-Kinney much later in life. Something that my angsty teen self is pretty gutted about as she would’ve been so empowered by these badass women and their no fucks given infectious riot girl anthems. But baby Jen, much like adult Jen still is, was very much a pop kid whose girl power was distinctly spice flavoured instead (no shade, I will always love the Spice Girls!).
So it was only after falling in love with Carrie Brownstein’s comedic chops on Portlandia in 2011 that I came to discover that she was also a rock goddess. One of those “you’re not allowed to have all the talents, it’s not fair!” people.
I absolutely adore this new record. In fact, I think it might actually be one of their best ever. As raw as it is anthemic, its lyrical themes of grief and societal despair speak to me deeply and yet there’s nothing maudlin about it. It’s an ode to the power of letting go, of realising that relinquishing control is the only way to survive this mad world.
Plus the music video to “Say It Like You Mean It” features the iconic J Smith-Cameron (Gerri from Succession) mad/sad lip syncing and dancing to the track which just so happens to be one of my favourite coping mechanisms.
Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails
Picking a catalogue release was really hard as there’s a lot of gold in those crates! As SIREN’s resident film nerd, I very nearly went for “Shaft” by Isaak Hayes which features one of the all time great eponymous film theme songs.
In the end, as someone who has made Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” their entire personality, in so small part because of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ techno driven score; I thought it might be interesting to revisit Nine Inch Nails 1989 debut “Pretty Hate Machine”.
Instantly I’m struck by just how resonant the lyrics to “Head Like a Hole” are to Challengers: “Bow down before the one you serve.” - Get it? Coz it’s like a tennis pun! Don’t hate me.
Joking aside, this remains one of the best debut albums ever. A landmark industrial rock release that is also in effect a synth pop record. It's a joy to be reminded, now that he is one of the most sought after film composers in the land; what a gifted vocalist Reznor also is. The quintessential rockstar voice in so many ways but so uniquely multifaceted. As tough and aggressive as it is strained and vulnerable.
Game, set and match - Reznor.
If you’d like to know more, or you’re keen to discover more of our repertoire, please contact: labelsyncuk@concord.com.
