CD Garbage – Strange Little Birds

Released in 2016 on the band's own StunVolume label, Strange Little Birds marks the sixth studio album from alternative rock icons Garbage. Featuring the original, powerhouse lineup of Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, and Steve Marker, this release serves as a atmospheric "kindred spirit" to their 1995 self-titled debut, diving deep into themes of inner thoughts, secrets, and the masks we wear.

The album is characterized by a moody, cinematic tension that blends gothic undertones with the "pop-grunge" grit and "trip-hop slink" that defined the band's early career. With production that remains as crisp and clean as their Version 2.0 era, the record offers a raw, emotional journey that Shirley Manson describes as her most personal work to date—a sonic diary of vulnerabilities and insecurities.

Key Tracks Include:

• "Empty" – A standout single featuring the classic, hook-driven Garbage sound that stands strong on its own.
• "Sometimes" – A creepy, moody opener that sets a haunting tone for the entire record.
• "Blackout" – A track defined by coiling tension and lyrics exploring the struggle to "fake it" in an overwhelming world.
• "So We Can Stay Alive" – A high-energy moment that reaches back to the band's classic heights.

For longtime fans and collectors of 90s alternative, Strange Little Birds is a sophisticated return to the "defiantly damaged" aesthetic that made Garbage a household name.