by David Wilikofsky
Nothing about Macula Dog has ever screamed pop. Imagine mutants soundtracking their life in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and you can approximate the territory a typical Macula Dog release covers. Their live shows only added to this image, with elaborate video setups and/or lifesize puppets (seriously, if you’ve never seen them live do yourself a favor and Youtube it). Yet, with the new EP Breezy, Macula Dog seem to be making pop moves.
Don’t get it twisted; this is still unmistakably the Macula Dog we all know and love. To my ears, their previous albums were more interested in texture and sound rather than traditional song structure. Vocals were often heavily manipulated, adding additional layers to their soundscapes. They certainly had some pop moments (take a classic like “Greyed Out” from Why Do You Look Like Your Dog?), but these usually sat between more abstract sonic explorations. But Breezy is a collection of bangers, Macula Dog-style.
Opener “Popping Hot Balloons” bears all the Macula Dog hallmarks: churning electronics, a driving angular beat, bloops and bleeps for days. Yet at the same time the vocals cut through, sitting in the foreground clearly discernible. The song never dissolves into a cloud of sound. “Reds Corvette” is in a similar mold, managing to be abrasive and catchy at the same time. Closer “Lissajous,” perhaps the most abstract thing here, is buoyed by a sweet synth melody that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Laurie Spiegel composition. The song slowly fades into oblivion as the EP closes.
Breezy may be an experiment for the band, but hopefully one they’ll continue to pursue on subsequent releases. It’s an exciting move towards a more accessible sound without losing anything that makes the band special. Could we see Macula Dog on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021? Crazier things have happened.