Set to release Looming, their first new full length in four years on September 27th via their new home at Dirtnap Records (Marked Men, Proud Parents, Dusk), the duo have expanded into a trio, but their psych pop induced garage fuzz remains quintessentially their own. It’s fun. It’s dirty. It rattles the brain with a sugary glory.
Disorientation seems to be the key for Brooklyn’s ESSi, the duo comprised of Jessica Ackerley and former Yvette drummer Rick Daniel. Set to release their full length debut, Vital Creatures, on October 4th with Ramp Local, their sound is mechanical and alien, an experimental post-punk dive in the dark shadows of the future.
“Rist” is built on a repetitive bass loop, one that has the band claiming the song is “the closest we’ve gotten to dance music,” though we’re not talking pop here. It’s a sordid and dark track, that builds with occasional stabs of guitar and melody, mostly careening with a mechanical grind and outstretched feedback.
Set to release their debut album, Carnage Hall, on September 27th via Upset The Rhythm, its a gloriously kaleidoscope dose of post-punk and psych explorations. The entire thing feels like its covered in a hyper-glow, the detached skronks and spirals of the sextet sounding minimal in essence while there’s a lot going on in actuality.
The Portland, ME trio are keeping true to their lo-fi roots however, and with that comes prolific schedules. The band will release a new 7” single on August 23rd via Salty Speakers (Rick Rude, Greed Island) and that ramshackle, this-could-fall-apart-at-any-minute, spirit remains alive and majestic on our first taste of the record, “Cup.”
Sometimes the best way to truly view the scope of sonic assault is to pair different takes on the genre together, which Retratando Voces have done with a split between Don’t Try and Black Ribbon. While one is based in the low-end grit of noise rock dirt, the other takes an electronic approach, but both are equally obliged to demolish eardrums.
“Talking Secret” from young Los Angeles-based upstarts Milly is a true slow-burn that oozes thick, syrupy melodies that unfold at a deliberate but assured pace. The band’s first single on Dangerbird Records is complete with a seemingly straightforward video directed by Logan Rice that matches the song’s delightfully moody atmosphere.
Kleinmeister’s second single, “Beauty,” starts with familiar warm tape hiss and soft, driving guitar. The singing on the song immediately sets it apart, more present and raw than on Garbus’ previous recordings, with swooping delivery that begins slow and deliberate and gradually works in more movement and impulse.
Boston trio Sneeze are getting ready to release their third full length album (and fifth release overall), Fin, due out September 13th via Tor Johnson Records. Recorded once again with the renowned Justin Pizzoferrato, the band are honing in their blend of grunge, pop punk, and fuzz, adding a degree of clarity to their expanding dynamics.
Los Angeles’ Lunch Lady have arrived (or nearly arrived) with their full length debut, Angel, out August 23rd via the impeccable Upset The Rhythm. The band, comprised of former members of Abe Vigoda and Heller Keller, are digging deep into the 80’s jangle of both LA and British post-punk, leaning toward that western twang.
Two years removed from their full length debut, Atlanta’s Floral Print are set to release their self-titled follow up EP, this Friday, July 31st via Tiny Engines. In the years since they’ve been listening and learning, structuring and reconfiguring a sound that really does set its sights on undefinable.
It’s jarring, frantic, and expansive, built on Joe Hess’ (Complainer) skittering drums and the skronk of Curt Oren’s sax and flute arrangements. That lack of accessibility lends itself to the concept of the “Judgement Free Jazz” video, a delightful clip of friends, peers, and strangers listening to the music and reacting as they might.
