Review: Bought to Rot by Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers

It’s an interesting junction for Laura Jane Grace. Years after she publicly announced she was transitioning, she became one of the early proponents of this conversation about trans people in this society, juggling many projects about it while still acting as frontwoman for Against Me! As such there really hasn’t been a record where Laura Jane is just Laura Jane, which brings us to her side project. Bought to Rot lacks the urgency her records with Against Me! have – it’s not as politically charged, nor is it informed by her getting to grips with her gender – but it does have her wit. That quality’s best captured by “I Hate Chicago”, a track which initially sticks out because of how mean it potentially is, until it swerves into different territory with a single line: “this is actually just another divorce song.” There’s lots of breathing space in Bought to Rot, which lends the record a welcoming feel, although you can’t help but think there’s got to be more than this. The album feels tentative, like it’s holding back. This is Laura Jane Grace; I’ve heard better. But then this is a new project, and this all needs some time to feel its way through. Surprisingly, I have high hopes. And at least this is still a fun listen. [NB] | 3/5