Strange Passage, a band geographically split between Boston and New York, occupies a compelling dualistic space: musically, they elegantly embrace the sonic hallmarks of the past while simultaneously charting a confident course toward the future.
Formed in the nascent days of 2016 in Boston, the quartet quickly established a reputation for confounding expectations, drawing immediate and favorable comparisons to the melodic post-punk and jangle-pop sensibilities of The Feelies and The Church. The group’s early work—the EP Shine and Scatter
and the LP Shouldn’t Be Too Long, (both via Syncro System Records)—was quietly, yet effectively, disseminated, leading to extensive touring across the United States alongside contemporaries such as Tony Molina, Dummy, En Attendant Ana, and Chain of Flowers. Notably, Strange Passage achieved this visibility while maintaining a relative seclusion from the prevalent social media content churn, proving the efficacy of focus over digital ubiquity.
Now, after a six-year hiatus, Strange Passage returns with their second full-length album, ‘A Folded Sky.’ This six-song 12” EP is the definitive crystallization of the band’s sound and ethos. From the initial chords of the opener, “Palace Behind the Shade,” the record delivers a rush of chiming guitars and driving, propulsive rhythms that hit with unexpected force, transcending the typical understated nature associated with their ’80s jangle-pop influences including R.E.M. and Felt.
‘A Folded Sky’ skillfully weaves the band’s signature sense of melody with broader, more complex influences: the hypnotic, motorik beats of NEU!, the heady, swirling psychedelic sounds of the Velvet Underground, and the distinct political sensibilities of McCarthy and Zounds. This synthesis results in tracks like the rambunctious jangler “Hunter’s Fancy,” where a large rush of noise is succeeded by songs that allow the hazy guitars to swish and swirl between the thumping percussion.
The lineup features stalwarts of the East Coast scene: Greg Witz (guitar), Ricky Hartman (drums), Andrew Jackmauh (bass), and Renato Montenegro (guitar and vocals), whose collective musical history includes notable acts like The Spatulas, Invisible Rays, and Missionary Work. On this release, Montenegro’s vocals are typically cool, understated, and omnipresent, often hovering casually over the mix, allowing the band’s potent melodic and instrumental instincts to carry the weight. Yet, they possess the capacity to suddenly break away in exhilarating final excursions.
Terse and powerfully invigorating, ‘A Folded Sky’ is a magnificent return, demonstrating that Strange Passage has harnessed their dualistic nature into a focused and highly tuneful indie-rock statement.
To have a listen or to purchase, please visit Bandcamp or Meritorio Records.
