The opening song of an album has several roles, not least of which is to grab the listener’s attention but also to lay down a statement of intent, a signpost of what the album might be about sonically. Well, if “Only,” the sonic point man for the album, certainly grabbed my attention, all I have learned about the music flavors from which the album is forged is to expect anything! Which is the best statement of all.
If “Only” arrives as a squalling ball of feedback, it soon settles down into a spacious rock groove, the instruments largely sitting back enough to leave the vocals front and center. As the song progresses, those shards and slashes of abrasive guitar return to some degree, but the song is very different from what those opening bars predicted.
And it is this brilliant balance of rock energies and indie accessibility, snarling sonics and infectious grooves, tight riffs, and heavenly harmonies make this album what it is. And what it is is extraordinary. A blend of shoegaze walls of power and alt-rock drive, pop contagion and underground creativity.
“Disposable Vape” is sonically stripped back, at points almost a capella, and at most uses beats and guitar lines merely to punctuate and propel the vocals to greater heights. “Vegas” is a growling, predatory track, one that makes you feel like it is hunting the listener rather than performing for it, and “Sandy” is a chiming, and indeed charming, slice of graceful indie.
If you play only one new album this week, then give this a spin. If you play two, play this twice!
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