MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 10/16/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Favourite Girl "Favourite Girl"
Tantalizing bass, spacious guitar riffs, and plenty of heart pumping kick drum start things off on “Favourite Girl.” As someone born and raised in the UK, the band’s spelling of the word “Favourite” immediately caught my attention; I was pleased to learn that frontwoman Katy Vernon is a fellow Brit. Diving into their lore, I’m incredibly inspired by Vernon’s music career with her being a fellow expat, singer-songwriter, and ukulele player. These facets of her creative spirit mirror some of my life experiences. This self-titled track (released in September, 2024) from Vernon’s brand new band showcases each musician’s talent and serves as a beautiful introduction to this folksy rock’n’roll project, which promises to have a lively spirit, promote social purpose, and serve up solid instrumentation. Favourite Girl are currently fundraising to release their debut album.
Daisycutter "Super Sour"
“Super Sour” was released in September 2024 on the EP Hates You (notably stylized on the cover to read “Daisycutter Hates You.”) This is a loud, in-your-face post hardcore song, complete with grungy lead guitar, strong, long-held vocal notes, and a bombastic rhythm section. Here, Daisycutter are noisy and confident while still being delightfully melodic, upholding an awesome song structure. By the end of the track, “Super Sour” becomes a solid grunge-rock groove and leaves me wanting more. The band’s next gig is a Halloween show on 10/26 at Caydence Records & Coffee, $10 cover - they’ll be joined by fellow grunge-rock locals Wingbeaver and Barnacle. Minnesotan readers: go!
Mystery Meat "heartbreak serenade"
This entry on our playlist will satisfy any listener who craves indie rock realness. From their Spoiled Rotten album (released in April 2024,) Mystery Meat bring us a timeless rock’n’roll tune with a punky twist. The protagonist’s heartbreak becomes truly audible on this track when the post-break up reflections being sung devolve into perfectly imperfect, half-strangled shouts. These charmingly raw vocals bleed out over a distorted, love-drunk rock’n’roll melody. “Heartbreak serenade” successfully straddles the musical intersection of old-school punk and contemporary alt-rock, making it an incredibly fun listen despite the tragedy of its story.
We Are The Willows "Forgiveness/Forgetness"
The allure of “Forgiveness/Forgetness” begins with its quirky title - I’m a big fan of song titles, or album names, which speak to the concept of a piece or project. “Forgiveness/Forgetness” by We Are The Willows was released in August 2024 on the album IV (shorthand for “Inside Voice”.) This is indeed a high concept indie rock track which unabashedly breaks the sonic rules of its genre, experimenting freely without losing total sight of a core melody. It is 2 minutes and 57 seconds of play, with surprising and beautiful instrumental layers and plenty of noisy effects which create a unique piece of art. It is undeniably whimsical and delightfully complex. The accompanying music video reinforces its elegant and exploratory nature,
The Seated Heats "Better From A Distance"
Well, this is my jam. Music that belongs under the large umbrella of post-punk is a true weakness of mine; “Better From A Distance” scratched that itch for me this week. The Seated Heats dive into vocal tones and effects which are hallmarks of post-industrial rock - wailing delay, reverb, and multilayered distortions which create an echoey yet mechanical feel. Specifically, fans of darkwave will appreciate this track from the group’s EP, Without A Groove, which dropped in August 2024. (Needless to say, I like the whole EP.) I’ll be watching The Seated Heats closely for future releases and hope to see them touring.
Yuasa-Exide "Household Vermin"
Our last playlist entry for the week is another post-punk submission for your (and clearly my!) enjoyment. “Household Vermin” falls more neatly into the darkwave subgenre, with its chilled out tempo and repetitive lyrics over a lofi melody. Yuasa-Exide is a musical project by Douglas Busson; it has a mysterious online presence as part of Ape Sanctuary Records. Busson encourages listeners to “Never pay more than 0 dollars” for their music, so if you like what you hear, you can download the track or the album it’s featured on, Information and Culture (released in August 2024,) for as little as… free. I do love to see indie artists get their bag, though, so please, give what you can. “Household Vermin’s” lyrics are provocative. yet simple - “Innocence / At war with / Experience / Household vermin!” The off-kilter synth keys that play crisply atop funky bass riffs and slick, spacey guitar are memorable and disarming. The solid instrumentation at work here compliments and provides a delicious soundscape that is, all put together, complex and doomy.
