by Jare C (@jareccurtis)
In the landscape of boundary pushing music projects in the overall scene right now, one of the most notable is undoubtedly the ”post-whatever” scene in Brooklyn. It seems like on any given night lately, you can find yourself stumbling into any club and be introduced to a band experimenting with the ideas and notions of any and every genre convention - pushing concepts, instrumentals, and constructs to their outermost limits. Gorgeous is certainly one of the most interesting acts in this scene right now, a two-piece who has begun to twist the basic principles of math and indie rock, pulling the threads all the way until the seams reach their absolute limit.
On a first listen of Sapsucker, what you’re most struck by is most likely the duality of angular guitar and crisp drums, with fluid, driven vocals that push the dynamics of every track. The intro track “Sweet” being a prime example, with its explosive drums and guitars coupling a murmuring, yet welcoming vocal refrain of “you’re my sweet tooth,” one that returns for a bookend at the end of the record’s “Tooth”. The syrupy sweet vocals compliment the crunchy motion of the rest of each song, creating a distinct tapestry of sound. The thunderous “Elbow Stress Rash,” winding” Tomato Tomato,” and frolicking “Love Bug” all grasp the central sonic idea, and present it with slightly different moods and colors.
Overall, Gorgeous has presented an offering that not only lays within the concepts of what guitar-driven music can and should do in our current moment, but they also endeavor to expand upon it. What they’re primarily interested in, it seems, is encapsulating the listener in a wall of sound that is simultaneously densely challenging, as well as pleasantly uplifting, all while being meticulously crafted. Each and every component of each song is greater than the sum of its parts, making Sapsucker, as a complete work, one of the most enjoyable and rewarding listens of the year.