Strange Little Birds

Released in 2016, Strange Little Birds marks Garbage's sixth studio effort and their second as an independent entity on their Stunvolume label. Recorded primarily in Butch Vig's basement and Billy Bush's Red Razor Sounds, the album represents a conscious departure from the 'maximalist' production style that made the band famous. Instead, the group focused on a 'unified mood' of darkness, drawing inspiration from the music they loved in their youth and the raw emotionality of their debut. The recording process spanned over two years, resulting in a collection of songs that prioritize atmosphere and lyrical honesty over radio-friendly hooks. Critics noted the album's 'confessional' and 'confrontational' nature, particularly highlighting the dry, effect-free vocal treatment of Shirley Manson. It stands as one of the most cohesive and atmospheric entries in their discography, favoring a cinematic industrial-rock aesthetic that leans into the band's darker, more experimental tendencies.