MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 8/21/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Orthe "In Clarity"
This is shoegaze, for fans of the likes of Deftones and SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE. Spacey, sprawling instrumentals make up the bulk of “In Clarity’s” sound as delicate vocals drift through the building wall of noise. Orthe play with the magical quality of their genre, leaning into the ethereal with woozy, progressive melodies which blend together dreamily throughout. As you, too, find yourself drifting away with the track, a dirtier, grimier final minute plants you firmly back in your body, weighted to the bass and grit that appears at just the right time. You can be pulled into their well-crafted web listening live at Zhora Darling on August 31st, as Orthe play with fellow locals Diie, North Innsbruck, and Syfn - 21+, $10, doors at 7pm.
Slut Intent "Peppa Pig"
Snarling guitars, heavy-handed drumming, and shouting vocals are hallmarks of Slut Intent’s hardcore sound. In “Peppa Pig,” the band’s first release, their lead vocalist exorcises rage against who we can assume to be an ex-lover, with lyrics that refer to wedding vows being broken. This track invites heady headbanging from its listeners; it’s easy to imagine a passionate moshpit forming to their aggressive, amped up energy. “Peppa Pig” gets the blood pumping and makes me excited to see what else Slut Intent has in store for us.
Strange Frequency "Machine Dragon"
Strange Frequency are known to drench their guitar playing in thickly layered sludge. Rambunctious and dark, the melodies in “Machine Dragon” compliment that sludge-metal sound, guiding the listener through the duo’s heavy, gritty tones. It is the second track on their April 2023 EP, Manic/Depressive; that title gives us a peek behind the curtain as to what Strange Frequency are inspired by - the intensity of extreme mental states, illustrated by their riotous but downward-sloping sonic field.
Lost Evidence "Seen It All"
“Seen it All” is Lost Evidence’s album closer for their EP Chronophobia, which was released in March 2024. In it, we hear Lost Evidence showing off their rockstar prowess, hammering out a consistently feverish pace and showcasing an INCREDIBLE guitar solo on the song’s final bridge with excellent drumming to match. “Seen it All” is appropriately grandiose for the album’s close - it has an artistic touch in its construction and deliberate place on the album. Its pacing creates in the listener a sense of urgency, which compliments the story being told - the protagonist is at the end of his rope, he “swears to god [he’s] seen it all,” and admits his “dreams are filled with suicide.” The lyrics are heavy, with the overlapping vocals on chorus feeling like a cry for help among these vulnerable admissions of a decaying mental state.
J-Mo on the Beat "Forever, the Fool"
J-Mo on the Beat brings us another sentimental, classy tune which makes the listener pay attention and relate. “Forever, the Fool,” released in July 2024, is J-Mo’s newest single - a Rockabilly-inspired, warm, stripped down song for the hopeless romantics among us. Its gentle, rocking melody conjures images of lovers swaying across the dance floor, but the message is the opposite as J-Mo reflects on finding himself in solitude. Singing gently, he admits that he feels he’ll be “Forever the fool / living a quiet life / with no one to hold me tight,” and that perspective on our own loneliness is deeply relatable to so many.
Heart to Gold "TNT"
Heart to Gold serves us solid, noisy pop punk with “TNT.” This song is the band’s first single (released in July 2024) from their upcoming album, FREE HELP, and is amazing taste of what Heart to Gold produces. It certainly sparks my interest in the upcoming EP. The mixing is expertly done, with the overall sound extremely high quality, while their tone stays punky and Midwestern. “TNT” is rich, bass-laden, and high-spirited. Their lead vocalist has strength in his voice as he holds onto the last notes sung in each line, adding intense vocal melodies which compliment the punk rock instrumentation. He extends those notes further in a catchy chorus that lends itself to the listener singing along.
