Although we’ve known for quite some time that dirty electronic duo Patriarchy have been into some kinky stuff, I never imagined I’d see the two plastic-wrapped to one another as if they’re bound to go on a pallet and be shipped off somewhere into the international zone. Be that as it may its exactly where we have landed with their brand new five-track EP Appendices. Though described as the B-sides to their critically acclaimed 2025 album Manual for Dying this is not worth any less attention from, well, anyone.
Lilylicker starts off the EP and it’s a gorgeous noisy-electro romp from start to finish; this dirty dancefloor hit is meant for nothing more than getting people dancing, steamy, hot, and all that other good jazz that comes from a not-so-subtle sexual single. Fans of Patriarchy’s material will not feel lost at home with this one.
Bite Marks has an interesting background behind it as it was born from a wildfire blackout in Malibu; Patriarchy attributes that fear to the song’s overall tone. Which is a thumpy and gritty industrial hit that might even favor some Wax Trax! heads.
Servile comes in next with a guest appearance from the black metal band Witch Club Satan. Howling vocals and backing growls and shouts blend effortlessly with Patriarchy’s signature style crafting something more akin to a ritual than a song. Neither artist overpowers one another and they work in harmony.
Ode (to an Apprehensive Tyrant) is perhaps the cleanest single on the album, coming off as a darker synthpop single with a bit of toughness behind it. Dark whispers and an electrifying rhythm make it a perfect night-time single.
You think you might know Patriarchy and might guess that a song titled Hate Fuck would be an obliterating club single but it’s quite the opposite. It opens as an acoustic with the slightest static noise behind it; nothing but keys and vocals like something you’d find at a cabaret night. It opens up into ambient territory, somewhat diving into experimental neo-classical territory and it’s quite lovely.
Appendices is a lovely addition to Patriarchy’s ever growing discography and it’s different enough to set itself outside the realm of their normal releases; the biggest surprises on the album for me are Servile and Hate Fuck, both showing that Patriarchy can travel into dimensions they’re not quite familiar with – and still nail it. I’m hoping this experiment bleeds into their next album, allowing them to grow the definition of snuff pop into whatever they want it to be – which is what I think they’ve been doing since the start.
