by Ali C (@ali314159265358)
Brooklyn’s Lola Pistola are currently a two-piece consisting of Lola Pistola herself and Robert Preston Collum on drums/guest guitar. Pistola, originally from Puerto Rico, handles the singing/screaming, guitar playing, and songwriting on this EP. While this EP has been out for just over a year, the band has been releasing music online since October 2016 and is well known in the Brooklyn live scene for their energetic performances and on social media for having good social media.
The LIZARD EP, which was released in August 2020, is a quick but ferocious four songs. This EP feels more retrospective than previous releases, which makes sense, as it is was released during quarantine. That said, the effort and time spent making this set of songs shows. The EP starts with the self-titled track, “Lizard.” Right away, you are hit with a punch-you-in-the-face Punk opener that will hook you in the ear.
The second song, “S.M.H.T.C.” is also the first single from the EP, which has an accompanying music video. This song slows down a bit and with that, the focus lands more on the drums and guitar riff. The vocals are purposefully restrained here and start softly before getting louder - the classic soft-loud technique we have all loved since the Led Zeppelin days (sorry for mentioning Led Zeppelin in a punk review). “Nothing Matters” is a great pandemic anthem. Anyone who lived in NYC, or any city, during COVID-19, will probably identify closely with this track. The lyrics - “Tired of all / the things that I see / When I’m alone / surrounded by” should give you an idea of why this hits so close to home for many who stayed in or around cities during this pandemic.
Lizard ends on a slightly happier, dreamier note with the fittingly titled song, “Dream City.” This is the longest song on the release and allows the band time to slow down, put some cool vocal effects on and relax a bit. Overall, this is a release where the lyrics, guitar, and drums blend masterfully together. This is an EP that folks will surely return to, even after this pandemic has been fully put in our rearview window.