by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Chicago’s Cel Ray already released Cellular Raymond, one of our absolute favorite EPs of the year back in February, and as the well deserved hype around the band continues to grow, they’re getting ready to release another one. Quickly becoming one of Chicago’s most in demand bands, Cel Ray has spent much of the year playing shows among the likes of OSEES, Vintage Crop, Stress Positions, Timmy’s Organism, Spread Joy, Abi Ooze, Choncy, and beyond. One listen to the band and it’s easy to see their appeal, the quartet play bugged out post-punk full or animated character, with boisterous hooks, tightly wound riffs, and razor sharp rhythms that feel brilliantly jagged. They rattle with a sense of melodic familiarity, their sound equal parts frazzled and catchy. So eight months after their debut, Cel Ray return with Piss Park, their new EP, due out November 17th via Six Tonnes De Chair Records (Pinch Points, System Exclusive, Druid Fluids).
Comprised of four tracks, our introduction to the EP is the title track, “Piss Park,” a song that picks up where Cellular Raymond left off, darting around with unexpected jitters. The guitars do plenty of poking and prodding, detached from the rubbery bass groove and the blistering fills of the drums. The highlight though is the bent melodies of Maddie Daviss’ vocals, as she laments attempting to find a place to pee at the park. The song is fun and punchy, tight yet elastic (just listen to bassist Kevin Goggin run all over this one), the band flexing the charm and character that make them stand-out from the pack. Cel Ray are taking the piss out of finding a place to piss… so just let it stream.