Loser Magnet's "Empty Year" EP
Review by: Billy Webb, Writer @liam.percy_esquire
Edited by: Paul Thorson, Hip-Hop Writer @PaulyT03
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WINNING ATTRACTION
Loser Magnet's debut EP "Empty Year" was recorded on one of the coldest days of this past winter in a DIY studio above a garage with no heat. You can almost hear how cold the band is, but it plays perfectly into their sound. The EP is full of distressed textures, wistful melody, and crafty songwriting. Thematically, it's an album about change.
The world is changing all around the band and they are deciding how to angle their trajectories. The EP kicks off with the melancholic "Two Tears". Vocalist (and rhythm guitarist) Najua Saad's soothing vocals proclaim "I'm drowning in fear, I need a life raft". The wistful vocals are backed by the dreamy lead guitar licks of Joe Marxen, the rock-solid basslines of Sam Struderm, and the effective drumming of Ed Draper. The main vocal hook repeats 3 times throughout the song, the first two stating: "It's been an awful year" and "It's been an empty year" to finally the hopeful "I feel a shred of cheer, I shed two tears" then ending with a shoe-gazey distorted musical outro. The whole song has an atmospheric feel, with a thematic redemption arc and is a strong choice as an opener.
POETIC CLARITY
"Physical" picks up the pace by latching onto a riff that sounds like purebred summer of love psychedelia. It builds into a punchy and fuzzed-out chorus where Saad stretches out "I want to be physical with something that's not difficult". There is a scrappy intimacy to this song. Most of the words are delivered with straightforward poetic clarity. The bridge is a chaotic howl of distortion. At first, the song sounds like someone looking for a quick hookup, but there is a deeper meaning here. As the song progresses Saad proclaims "Lately I've been crushing but I met somebody in the mirror". In the end, the song is about realizing you don't need anyone else to make you happy.
The anthemic "Water" is next up, a tale of self-reflection with heaps of regret and a call for understanding. It has a candied country tinge as the verse slowly builds to sludge filled chorus that descends into psych-inspired lead guitar. Saad repeats "such is my fate" in a sing-along worthy outro that exudes genuine emotion.
The indie psych meets country vibe continues into the mesmerizing "Howling". Saad's dynamic vocal ability is really highlighted throughout the intertwined melodies. The music and lyrics flow together in a cohesive narrative that sends the song in two directions. It starts with a jangly guitar, then the last minute and fifty seconds of the song is a group effort with Draper (and friend of the band Jordan Briley) on background vocals singing "time to let the credits roll" while she howls with brooding emotional intensity over the sludge-filled distortion.
Courtesy of Loser Magnet’s Facebook
SELF TITLED
The final track "Loser Magnet" from which the band got its name ends the EP at a faster pace. A hard-hitting beat from Draper and a quick-hitting clean, but almost punk guitar riff are backed by some jeering singing from Saad about fending off the sketchy personalities one can encounter in the music scene (or life in general). It's the most straightforward song on the album, but it's a fun jumpy tune and a nice change of pace.
"Empty Year" is a compelling debut from a band that knows how to craft a good song built around a cohesive narrative. All the tracks are well laid out, it's clear the band has studied the classics. The sound jumps from straight-up indie rock to country-influenced psych to punk. The EP is full of catchy guitar riffs usually bouncing off a chorus, and Saad's vocals really take the music to the next level. There is a very real dynamic delivery in the singing that ranges from gentle croon, punchy sarcasm, and powerful raw emotion. The group just formed last July and is regularly playing shows around the Twin Cities. I highly recommended checking them out if you're able.
Catch Loser Magnet at their next show Saturday March 12th at White Squirrel with Snowshoe and Ice Climber and then at the 331 on Tuesday March 29th with Laura Hugo.
Watch Billy’s full interview with Loser Magnet on out Patreon.
