Star 99 is Saoirse, Chris, Thomas and Jeremy. On their sophomore LP, “Gaman”, Star 99 are still making punchy, exhilarating songs while pushing beyond – though not necessarily past – the twee sensibilities of their 2023 debut “Bitch Unlimited”, making way not just for the confrontational nature but the poetic nuances of their song writing. As Saoirse Alesandro and Thomas Romero trade vocals, revealing the core emotions that bind their songs – insecurity, resentment, isolation, often fuelled by the fire of generational trauma – you get less of a sense that these are separate people bringing songs than just two friends, in a band, facing similar strife’s – and getting through them. Which is, definitionally, the art of gaman.
Star 99 is reminiscent of Nebraska’s Tilly and the Wall, or maybe they’re not at all. Why the need to compare everything? Take a chance and seek out Star 99, get off the couch, live your life, fun is still there to be had, and Star 99 seems to know where it is.
released March 7th, 2025 LAUREN RECORDS
The Fat Angel Sings 