Caitlin Starr channels frustration into resistance on ‘Cage’, the latest single from forthcoming EP Speed Saves. Taking aim at the societal expectations and systems of control that leave people feeling trapped, Starr describes the track as “a call to fight back and reclaim agency by owning your story and who you are.”
A badass, grungy guitar riff immediately pulls ‘Cage’ into ’90s-flavoured alt-rock territory, backed by big live drums and Starr’s melodic but increasingly snarling vocal. There’s bite beneath almost every line, giving the track a sense of urgency without sacrificing its hooks. An instrumental passage designed to evoke a panic attack sees the arrangement grow more frantic and instruments pile on top of one another, adding another burst of tension before the song pushes onwards.
The accompanying video takes that breakout literally — albeit with its tongue firmly in its cheek. After being kidnapped, Starr escapes into the night, skating, cycling and running through the streets as chaotic cuts take us through corridors, exploding pillows and a caged walkway. Eventually she makes it to the gig, delivering a sweaty performance against graffitied walls surrounded by the promised “goth baddies”. Dark, sleazy and knowingly playful, it’s exactly the kind of chaos ‘Cage’ deserves.
