by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Freak Genes, the synth punk duo of Charlie Murphy and Andrew Anderson, work at a prolific rate. The pair play in a handful of bands (Proto Idiot, Hipshakes, Queasy Pieces), almost as if Freak Genes wasn’t keeping them busy with four albums over the last five years. Never slowing down, their fifth album, Hologram, is on its way, due out August 19th via Feel It Records (Why Bother?, CLASS, Green/Blue), picking up where last year’s Power Station left off. The band’s nervous and taught brand of synth punk is definitely heavy on the punk and post-punk side of that description, keeping a terse edge and hypnotic din. The atmosphere throughout Hologram feels like we’re heading directly into a grim future, without much of anything we can do about it, but Freak Genes are providing the soundtrack as we rise up against the robotic empire (or you know… just want to listen to some futuristic punk). It’s heavier at times and groovier at others, with a constant buzz and radiant energy.
“Strange Charm,” the album’s lead single, sets itself off to the races with a blistering tempo, delivered first with the Devo-indebted vocal performance and then the mechanical rhythm snapping into place with it. Everything feels rattled as the band dart between rapid-fire verses and the mantra-like repetition of the chorus. This song is kicked up about ten paces from the proceeding tracks, yet despite it’s verbose delivery and onslaught, “Strange Charm” feels like an anthem, meant to be shouted in unison as best as anyone can hang on. The pair race through the song as synths warble and attack, drifting by comparison to the turbo pummel of the bass and drums, crescendoing with an eponymous send off.
Check out the band’s upcoming US tour dates:
09/20 - Chicago, IL @ Bric-a-Brac Records (5pm) w/ Pyrex
09/20 - Chicago, IL @ Hideout (9pm) w/ Spread Joy, Man-Eaters, & Dangus Tarkus
09/21 - Cincinnati, OH @ The Hub w/ Tha Retail Simps & The Drin
09/22 - Nashville, TN @ East Room w/ Tower Defense & Invitation
09/23 - Memphis, TN @ Railgarten (Gonerfest 19 main show)
09/25 - St. Louis, MO @ Sinkhole w/ Screensaver, Freon, & Maximum Effort
