by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Your high school band was most likely not as good as Lifeguard. The Chicago trio released their full length debut album, Dive, back in October, a stunning combination of youthful aggression seeped into shoegaze, post-hardcore, and fuzzy punk. It was a brash introduction to a band with a hell of a lot of great ideas. The execution was raw but fully realized, thrashing and clamoring from the proverbial basement. The album caught the attention of noisy music fans with an ear to the ground including the fine folks at Chunklet Industries (Shark Toys, Honey Radar, The Apples In Stereo). The Atlanta based label is set to release a limited hand-cut 7” single with two new Lifeguard tracks, Receiver b/w Sun Ra Jane.
While it’s only been a handful of months since the release of Dive, there’s been a definite progression that can be heard on their new single. “Receiver” still packs in plenty of abrasive guitars but there’s a different approach to their attack. It feels a bit more calculated, nuanced, and patient. Rather than running headfirst into the wall of sound, Lifeguard are taking a less direct path, wandering around twists and turns on their way there. “Receiver” is still plenty brilliant, with pinched harmonics and caterwauling feedback still working its magic, just in a refined and subtle way, one that feeds the song as its unfolds rather than gorging itself all at once. They are a very excited band and we’re thrilled to watch their growth in real time.