Reviews
unpolished's Debut EP 'I PLEAD INSANITY' Has Your New Favorite Feminist Grunge Anthem
Anastasia White · April 15, 2025 · 1 minutes
Photo by Don Adkins
Last month, LA-based band unpolished debuted their first EP, I PLEAD INSANITY. Made up of vocalist Mary Bugbee, guitarist Celinda Chang, bassist Jazmin Alvarez, and Jasmine Day on drums, unpolished has spent the past year cutting their teeth in the local scene by performing at some of LA's most historic venues, including The Viper Room. Now, this new release is filled with frustration–with songs that encapsulate the gutter that is your 20’s, into a familiar alt-rock package.The first track, "copy/paste," opens with a blistering self-aware dissection of the search for fame in a culture of conformity. The grungy guitars, paired with Bugbee’s sardonic vocals, almost creates claustrophobia within the song. As if you’re sandwiched between people at a party, or a club, and just need to get some air. The repetition of “You’re so dramatic and you all look the same” add the perfect touch to this track, making this the perfect opener for the EP. "hollybaby" follows with a slightly more wistful and melodic sound, a twisted ode to adulthood’s many speed bumps and the hope that life will treat you better. The track’s chorus swells with a poppy flair, bolstered by Bugbee’s vocals. The misty eyes don’t last long though, with "nobody knows" coming in hot with a far more biting tone. This track feels more classic-rock-y, with a beat that begs you to dance on your enemy’s grave while you listen. The most overtly political track, "i swore an oath to protect the constitution," shares a classic-rock sound that also verges on brooding. "sucker" follows with a similar air of frustration, keeping the same fast tempo and high energy as the rest of the EP. Last but not least, "ghost" closes the show with a sound reminiscent of early 2000’s emo-adjacent bands. Overall, unpolished showcases a lot of raw talent and inspiring songwriting on this EP, and I’m excited to hear how their sound evolves and grows in the future. Stream I PLEAD INSANITY here, and keep up with unpolished here.