MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 4/17/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Father Melissa "BRAIN ROT"
We begin our additions this week with frenzied, hardcore goodness that doesn’t skimp out on the dirty guitar riffs. Father Melissa’s “BRAIN ROT” is full of in-your-face screams and awesome tempo changes which can drive a crowd wild. Father Melissa’s pacing keeps the listener on the edge of their seat, and would certainly inspire some wall to wall mosh-pit action. Things get increasingly more brutal throughout their swift switch-ups, but Father Melissa gives you a little room to recharge your energy with teasing breakdowns. If you’re into hardcore, do not let this entry pass you by. It is a metal-inspired roller coaster which hits hard; not a second of your time is wasted. Jam-packed with noise, this track is from their 2023 EP, Thoughts You Wouldn’t Say Out Loud.
GOODLUCKRY "Fading"
GOODLUCKRY is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist talent, Ry. “Fading,” from the 2024 EP FAST, is an indie-emo banger. Please allow me a moment to give honorable mention to FAST’s cover art, which glows with what we ‘in the know’ call bisexual lighting. It features a Squishmallow observer in full focus, equal parts cute and disconcerting as GOODLUCKY blurs out in front of them. (I just think this cover photo is extremely cute.) GOODLUCKRY laments their relationship to other people in “Fading,” with sorrowful lyrics like, “You can’t hear a sound, but I’m yelling so loud/I wanna make you proud, but I can’t stop fucking around.” This track is relatable and poignant, while mashing together the sounds of emo rock, shoegaze, and pop-punk. The chorus always crashes forwards like an anthem, with its final iteration dropping off in such a way that begs a repeat listen.
Unstable Shapes "Glass Ladder"
A severely cool bassline elevates Unstable Shapes’ sound in “Glass Ladder,” but in no way overshadows the instrumentally matched skillful drumming and indie-punk guitars. This track has a morish, delicately fuzzed foreground melody, over which, unabashedly punk vocals reminisce on how things aren’t like they used to be. The song’s final bridge underlines the poeticism of their “Glass Ladder” metaphor and bursts into a beautiful, noisy crescendo with satisfying shouts. I revel in the ennui that Unstable Shapes trigger in me with this post-punk piece. You can catch them performing live for Curve’s album release show on April 27th at Zhora Darling, $15.
Beatriz Kelly “Love Witch”
I love a leading synth, and Beatriz Kelly delivers that and more on “Love Witch,” released as a single in 2023. The layered synthesizer melodies build up a magical, meditative ambience. Beautiful, haunting vocals play with folksy scales and utilize subtle echoing in production to become full-bodied as they gently increase in volume throughout the track. “Love Witch” is atmospheric and enchanting, a truly cinematic piece of music that transcends its form. Beatriz Kelly’s electronic composition has a beating heart, with raw, ritualistic results. This song, and the work that Beatriz Kelly is capable of, is simply stunning.
Wanderer “When We Stopped Asking Why - VoidDweller Remix”
Setting the stage with rapid BPMs, “When We Stopped Asking Why - Void Dweller Remix” quickly explodes into alternative hardcore after kicking down its EDMesque doors with a sick ass bassline. With the spirit of deathcore running through this track, it is a very clever reinvention of the original. This remix, released on Wanderer’s collaborative EP Indulgence Remixed, rounds out the edges of Wanderer’s guttural sound without losing any of their brutality. This track is nasty, and I say this as a compliment! Wanderer’s upfront, politically charged lyrics add so much context to the rage that bleeds through their aggressive instrumentation. VoidDweller’s electronic and masterful influence on Wanderer’s already extremely talented, hefty work makes for an unrelentingly noisy treat. Wanderer can next be seen on May 2nd at The White Rock Lounge, 21+, $15.
E.T. “Cicatriz”
I have had the pleasure of hearing this song live in Omaha, Nebraska, but its official release on the 2023 album Inner Space is just as delightful. Pumping synth action and hissing vocals make this a hypnotic EBM track that is just as danceable as it is captivating. E.T.’s poignant brand of synthpunk mingles powerful political ideology with darkwave beats and repetitive, intertwining melodies. I particularly adore the low toned vocals and fall-away, echoed distortion that melts everything together throughout this track. E.T. kick off their Spring tour with an all-ages show at The Artery on April 25th - I highly recommend getting this show on your calendar.
