Album Review: Sniff More Gritty by Du Blonde

Sounding more exhilaratingly vital than ever, Beth Jeans Houghton has made a visceral record that doesn’t stop surprising or inspiring The last time we heard from Beth Jeans Houghton, aka Du Blonde, was on her third album Homecoming, a thrillingly raw 24 minute self-produced, self-recorded record that she was convinced was her farewell to the music industry. It turns out to have been more of a cathartic reset, as Sniff More Gritty sees Du Blonde sounding more exhilaratingly vital than ever. While Homecoming was introduced by a full-throated belch, the opening track on Sniff More Gritty, Perfect, begins with 20 seconds or so of wordless vocalising – some heavenly harmonies to pull you into the record.

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Since stepping outside the mainstream music "industry" and embracing her DIY spirit, Beth Jeans Houghton, aka Du Blonde, has blossomed as an artist in full control of her creative vision. Her latest album, Sniff More Gritty, confronts the industry's more toxic elements, particularly its exploitative figures, and delivers a cathartic blend of raw emotion, sharp wit, and redemptive joy. Tracks such as "TV Star" spotlight the corrosive impact of fame, examining how celebrity status can undermine what once felt like genuine friendships.

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The dual strengths of 'Sniff More Gritty', the fourth album as Du Blonde from the North East singer-songwriter Beth Jeans Houghton, come from the artist's knack for writing a killer hook, and an astute way of choosing their collaborators. The former runs the length of the record, in particular on grungy opener 'Perfect', through to the gang vocals of 'TV Star' and the power pop of 'Dollar Coffee'. With the latter, they've hit a masterstroke.

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