by Dash Lewis (@gardenerjams)
For Kosmetika, true craftsmanship lies in the details. “House,” the second single from the Melbourne art-punks’ new album, Illustration (due April 21 on Spoilsport Records), feels instantly familiar and comfortable. It’s full of new wave signifiers, settling nicely in the middle of a Venn diagram that includes Charlie’s “Spacer Woman,” Le Tigre’s “Phanta,” and ESG’s “Dance”. The song immediately grooves, layering a live kit over a motorik drum machine while a syncopated, chorused bass line pushes against the propulsive beat. Veeka Nazarova deadpans her way through the track, perfecting a kind of earnest sneer: “Have you ever thought about painting your own house? Have you ever thought about some nice decor?”
“House” initially feels like a slight dance party jam, something you’d throw on to satisfy that second-beer urge to shake a leg. The track has good bones, but look a little closer and you’ll discover the tiny, meticulous flourishes that adorn its two-and-a-half minutes. There’s the quick on-off stomp of a feedbacking delay pedal in the intro; distant synth stabs and guitar noises tastefully accent the first verse while an atonal, angular guitar solo meanders around the second; keyboard drones provide a solid foundation. It all adds up to make a fun, bizarre pop gem, charming in its absurdity and impressive in its construction.