Savages - Silence Yourself

Savages' 2013 debut album Silence Yourself was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize, though it ultimately lost to James Blake's Overgrown. The nomination itself brought massive critical acclaim to the London-based post-punk band. It solidified their status as one of the most important rock acts of the decade.

Silence Yourself was jointly released in 2013 by Pop Noire, an independent label co-founded by the band's lead singer Jehnny Beth, and Matador Records. Matador handled the widespread international distribution for the album. This dual-label strategy allowed the band to maintain creative control while reaching a global audience.

The album is a definitive statement of aggressive, atmospheric UK post-punk. It draws heavy inspiration from late 70s and early 80s bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, as well as Public Image Ltd (PiL). The music is characterized by dark, driving basslines and angular, screeching guitars.

Savages was a four-piece band fronted by lead singer Jehnny Beth. The rest of the lineup featured Gemma Thompson on guitar, Ayse Hassan on bass, and Fay Milton on drums. Together, they formed the explosive rhythm section that drove the intensity of the Silence Yourself album.