New Music: Problem Patterns – “I’m Fine and I’m Doing Great”: Belfast's Fierce Feminist Punks Push Back with Riot Grrrl Fire

Problem Patterns is a Belfast-based feminist punk collective formed in 2018 by Beverley Boal, Bethany Crooks, Alanah Smith, and Ciara King. Hailing from Northern Ireland, they've made waves with a DIY ethos rooted in activism: they sparked their formation in response to the controversial 2018 Belfast rape trial. The group operates without a single frontperson—band members frequently swap instruments and vocal duties, reinforcing their ethos of equality and shared voice. Their sound channels gritty post-punk, riot grrrl, and queercore, marked by raw energy and fierce social commentary. They released their debut EP Good For You, Aren’t You Great? in 2019, followed by the full-length album Blouse Club in 2023, which earned Album of the Year at the Northern Ireland Music Prize. Critics and fans alike praise their unapologetic lyricism and inclusive, top-tier live shows at festivals like Glastonbury, Stendhal, and 2000trees.

This track is a recent single from 2025, reflecting the band’s signature blend of punchy punk rhythms and biting lyricism. True to its title, “I’m Fine and I’m Doing Great” is a sharp rebuke of perfunctory positivity—a sarcastic anthem that rejects shallow platitudes and highlights emotional honesty. With its assertive vocals, driving drums, and gritty guitar textures, the song delivers a pointed message: we deserve spaces to be real, not just told to be “okay.” It's a galvanizing addition to their discography, reaffirming their commitment to speaking truth to power and inspiring listeners to reject silence and embrace truth in collective solidarity.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/probpatterns/?hl=en