Music Review // Soul in the Machine "License to Slut"

 

One thing about me is that I tend not to like songs that are specifically about Christmas and the holidays around that time as much, but when it goes to songs themed around Halloween I just can't get enough.  Perhaps it's because an artist will release an entire album dedicated to Christmas and the snow, but not nearly as many artists (if any) release an entire album dedicated to spooky season.  So right away to hear a new song about Halloween is welcome and "License to Slut" is a banger.

Musically, you could likely put this song into a playlist for Halloween for a party.  If you hit that point where you crowd is drunk but you also feel like you might be losing them because maybe it's a couple of hours in, then this song can be like hitting refresh and provide that much needed energy boost.   It's pop like Kesha and there are dance beats.  There is also this sweet saxophone part in the chorus that I think people will enjoy as a hook.  Listening to this purely from a musical perspective, I feel like people are going to dance to it and just really dig it.

Staying on that same page of this being played at a Halloween party, it'd be loud, people would potentially be drunk, a lot of what is going to come out and resonate with people lyrically is the line "Tonight is Halloween".   And much like in the same way you won't play those other holiday songs outside of December, "License to Slut" seems a good fit for the month of October and whether or not you play it outside of there is up to you, but it feels like a bit of a novelty song in the same way that the "Monster Mash" is.  

I'm not sure if it was the first reference in media to do so, but I remember the film "Mean Girls" being one of those times when it was said that Halloween was made so you could dress slutty.  Other, more recent, films and shows may make that same comparison, but when you listen to this song- and really listen to it- it's not so much about being a slut as just feeling good.  One of the best examples of this comes in the beginning of the video as a mother who is covered in baby food is made up to go out and be seen in a different light.  I think we all need those moments to remind ourselves not only who we truly are but who we can be.