Single Reviews: 30 July 2024: Recalculating, Signal Quartet, We Are The Willows, Trophy Wife, Ignacio Wer
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| Photo by Memories on 35mm |
Recalculating - Candide Says
post-punk
Packed around a sunny riff, New York three-piece Recalculating delivers snarling observations with deliberate aberrance on "Candide Says," an ultimately optimistic missive made unique by bassist and vocalist Sean Wiederkehr's menacing bursts of Sprechgesang that touch on everything from improper punctuation usage ("If you should hang me for one thing please make it exclamation points") to more general admissions that appear to be coming from an English professor ("I have both given and received effusive praise"). The lyrics are fragmentary at best and obtuse at worst, but a general punk ethos comes across in the playing and delivery, which is rather inspiring. It's not a million miles away from Minutemen, if I had to make a reference. The brothers Scott (guitar and vocals) and Michael Sendrow (drums and vocals) lend a fraternal synergy to Wiederkehr's more inflammatory maneuvers. "Candide Says" is taken from the upcoming album Do You Like To Laugh?, which was produced by the legendary Steve Albini before his death earlier this year—a good reason in itself to listen, though the music hardly needs any help in impressing by virtue of its wily and rocking ways.
Signal Quartet - For a Croc
modern jazz
Signal Quartet, the Michigan-based group consisting of trumpeter and flugelhorn practitioner Ben Wolkins, guitarist Ian Blunden, bass player Eric Nachtrab, and drummer Sean Perlmutter, has released a taste of their upcoming full-length album, Approaching, with the breezy and suave "For a Croc." Here, a classy ostinato plays out interchangeably on guitar and brass, while the bass creeps along jauntily in the background, and Perlmutter's characteristically gargantuan moves propel things forward with a pulsating rhythm. The group disappears into the seven-plus minutes, losing themselves in extended sections of unwieldy jamming, though this is not without its rewards (notably Blunden's expressive fingerwork). They perennially break through, arriving at a firework display of armored energy. Approaching is out September 6th on Spiritual Stop Records.
We Are The Willows - Forgiveness / Forgetness
alternative
From the upcoming album IV, Minneapolitan group We Are The Willows practically explodes on the stereo in an enticing stew of experimental art rock with equally mathy and poppy notions on "Forgiveness / Forgetness." Led by the wistful ear of producer Peter M., We Are The Willows feature Jeremiah Satterthwaite on guitar, Travis Collins on bass and backup vocals, Hilary James on cello and backup vocals, and Josh McCay on drums. They are a tight unit, effortlessly connecting pressurized rhythms to endearingly melodic vocal melodies. The glitchy riff ditty that plays throughout is as jolting as it is lasting.
Trophy Wife - Keep It
alternative
Happenstance brought me to "Keep It," the rousing new single from Brooklynite three-piece Trophy Wife. I was doing some research into the English folk artist Jody Prewett when reviewing his recent album, River Songs, and learned he played with a band named Trophy Wife. However, this is not the band responsible for "Keep It," but an English namesake. Trophy Wife is also the name of a punk band from Philadelphia. So, while you can't call this iteration of Trophy Wife original in the naming department, you can't fault them on their music: a sincere proclamation of yearning and sarcastic bitterness expertly presented in an irresistible art rock packaging.
Ignacio Wer - The Snow And The Ocean
ambient
Originally stationed in Buenos Aires with the band Zolvein, Ignacio Wer now bases himself in Berlin, where he creates subtle yet impressive soundscapes with minimal elements and an awareness of environmental sensitivities. Taken from his recently released EP, Much A Time In Ache, "The Snow And The Ocean" is a calming and mellifluous cut that features serene, church-like keys, reverberated instrumentation, and sweeping tones. The seven-plus minutes flow by in a cathartic swell, operating with free-form abandon, coagulated by undulating parameters.