Across seven tracks, East Anglian grunge-pop riser Gabby Rivers shapes a restless, electric universe on 'What is the problem?'. It’s a record where raw guitar riffs collide with confessional lyricism, each song crackling with the kind of tension that comes from betrayal, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
The EP opens with 'Medicine,' its 90s girl-band-inspired guitars glinting like shards of neon under a stormy sky. The rhythm pushes forward with urgency, teetering on the edge of pop-punk exuberance, while Gabby’s vocals hover somewhere between defiance and reflection. It’s a fitting prologue: messy, vibrant, and unapologetically alive.
'Dig Me' and 'Leave Me Alone' amplify the intensity. Jagged guitar lines cut through the mix, sharp as confessions shouted into empty rooms. There’s riot-grrrl energy here—angry, restless, yet undeniably melodic. Each solo, each distorted bassline, feels like a pulse, propelling the listener through late-night streets and moments of private reckoning.
The title track, 'What is the problem?', slows the pace, letting grit and gravity take hold. It’s brooding and insistent, a meditation on betrayal and clarity that balances heaviness with melodic precision. 'Lipstick Karma' lingers like the aftermath of an emotional storm—slow-building, intoxicating, and cathartic in its release. Across the EP, there’s a sense of movement: an artist stepping into her own, discovering how to wield anger, vulnerability, and joy in equal measure.
What makes 'What is the problem?' so compelling is its cohesion. Gabby Rivers blends grunge, garage rock, and pop sensibilities into a sound that feels lived-in yet forward-looking. The production is punchy without feeling overpolished, textured without ever overcrowding, and the melodies are sharp enough to linger long after the guitars fade.
By the end, the EP leaves a lasting impression of urgency and creative confidence. Gabby Rivers has taken her time, confronted her past, and arrived with a statement that feels both personal and expansive—a confident introduction to an artist fully inhabiting her sound.
Stream the full collection in the player below
