by Steven Spoerl (@steven_mps)
In 2017, Tosser announced themselves to the world at large by way of a self-titled EP. 2018’s Lures EP followed in Tosser’s path, finding the band sharpening their songwriting approach. Several shows and some public notice later, the Washington D.C. act’s ready to issue a larger statement - the band’s self-released full-length debut, Total Restraint.
Louder, thornier, and more unreservedly aggressive than their past EPs, Total Restraint offers a title that skews paradoxical at first blush. Dig deeper and the title holds some weight. There’s a certain corner of bands in the DIY punk world that shares an extremely evident affinity for shoegaze, grunge, and post-punk. Among those acts, there’s a glaring tendency to go full-volume, which frequently diminishes space for nuance.
Total Restraint and, by extension, Tosser, understand the value of that additional room and have found a way to weaponize its effect. By opening with “Frogs,” an abrupt track that boasts an intro which borders post-hardcore, Tosser immediately demonstrate a penchant for an all-consuming wall-of-sound. Where the band differs from some of their less disciplined contemporaries is in an ability to work in tandem with that tactic and not be blown out by its presence.
After establishing their own brute force, Total Restraint turns slyly playful. Tracks like “Wishful Thinking” and “Fever Dream” find Tosser veering into heavily-bruised power pop territory, confidently occupying a liminal stage that falls somewhere between Bent Shapes and Two Inch Astronaut. Jackknife twists and turns populate individual song structures and Tosser’s steadfast refusal to play it straightforward pays dividends, most notably when the band returns to their most punishing sections, unlocking their full effect.
From a narrative standpoint, much of Total Restraint largely deals in the triptych of uncertainty, anxiety, and the burden of inescapable routine. Every topic’s treated with a tense conviction; the band united in pushing back against life’s more undesirable practices. It’s in their resilience that Tosser finds a level of galvanization that allows Total Restraint to surge forward, even in its quietest moments.
In its closing number, the album’s title track, Tosser expound on a desire for comforts that they know might always be out of reach. Lyrics and music act in a perfect symbiotic relationship, each part contributing to its partner’s manic urgency. In a little over 100 seconds, the band effectively pleads for larger recognition. With the impressive strength of Total Restraint, they may not have to plead much longer.