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did a little bit of a double take with this one, upon realising a band i thought were massive are, in fact, not. they’re big like, but still well within the realm of bands that we talk about here on this here newsletter. so instead of watching the eclipse on account of the mile thick cloud cover we’re enjoying, i’m going to do my best to get educating all of you on a band that are sick as hell, and need some attention. meet buzzard buzzard buzzard. they’re probably on the hard rock side of the metal spectrum, but exploring yourself is a good habit to get into, so we’re gonna go with one but know we also mean the other and don’t worry about it. it’s got riffs, it’s got grooves, it’s got all the good stuff, and they’re somewhat bird themed. i think that’s ticking many a box, and good enough for me.

click the picture up above to give it a listen!

what i liked! :)

i have a real love for songs that do a lil extra on their drums. the achingly cool tom groove knocking about under the wash of cymbals sets the scene for a song that knows it’s the coolest in the room, and isn’t afraid to show it. especially, as it really hits that sweet sweet spot of both heavy enough to be grooving around, but critically, simple and clear enough to be air drummable. that’s not even a joke or anything, remember what i’m always saying about music being a verb? a participatory activity rather than just an art form and that’s what makes it so special etc etc? well, air drumming? air guitar? lip syncing and shower singing and etc? all fair game. actually, now that i think about it, every part of this song is really incredibly join-in-able. the vocals use big simple melodies with a ton of heft behind them, perfect for yelling along, but the vocalist makes sure to pepper in a few bits of detail to blow it up. the little trill at the end of the chorus in particular is so sick. the riffs, again, super simple, super chunky, but they do exactly what they need to do and no more. there’s no frills here, no bits of extra detail that doesn’t need to be, it’s bare bones and having a boney good time. i think that then makes the bridge section where the introduction of some extra percussion and the lil bass solo really do a ton for elevating this. you’ve spent so long in the desert on this one that when it just gives you a tiny tiny bit extra, boom, it’s off to the races. this is actually some extremely impressive songwriting, knowing precisely when to and when not to just add a few bits in. it’s so cool to see someone just know how to do it.

what i didn’t like :(

you know what would’ve sent this song into the stratosphere? if it had a key change just in the outro. i’m sad it didn’t have that, but also absolutely understand why it didn’t because that’s a bit of a mad idea, but i feel like when this song starts to loosen the reigns a little bit, it does take it up a step, but i think the last thing you’d really want to do is give it an extra something material, but i do think this did need to go up one more notch right on the finale to send it home, and it didn’t quiteeeee.

my drunk opinion :S

don’t make me write, i’m too full of air drumming!

for fans of

i want to recommend an artist that does what these guys are doing but also brings something extra to the table. like you can go for your classics w queens of the stone age or etc, where you’ve similarly got lots of grovy riffing, lots of air-playing and tons of moods. but i think this band are doing something a little more interesting than staying in the confines of the established sound, they’re being really deliberate with what they do and don’t do. for that, i want to actually compare them to deafhaven, who similarly are a band who are doing some really interesting stuff in their space, taking the established sounds and really working them hard. so while tonally, these acts are kinda worlds apart, i think they’re kindred spirits in a way. also it’s an excuse to listen to sunbather again.

should you listen to more?

i’ve actually been a fan of these guys for a longgggggg time, and i think they’re really really sick. this album is a slight departure from a lot of their older sound, but both this grumpy era and that kinda happy era were both sick. again, i’m certain this band is bigger than they seem to be, i’m kinda a bit stumped why they don’t exceed any of the criteria to get them removed. i bet you i’m going to find out in a second they did a song w like, arctic monkeys or something and they’re secretly massive. but in the hope of living in ignorance and being better at this than i think i am, check out buzzard buzzard buzzard!

or better yet, reply to this email! what did you think of this song? have you been listening to anything good lately? any gems i’ve missed?

more i’ve been listening to

king isis / macho man

i really like how this song escalates and escalataes seemingly out of nowhere without feeling like a forced or strange build up.

virg, pleasure business / deja vu

this has a distinct air of being something that you would listen to driving on a really hot day, at the beginning of a movie where it’s the 1960s and you’re a detective, but it isn’t diagetic music because it’s actually the soundtrack being set by the director cus they’ve got great taste in music. that’s what it sounds like.

tyla / water

genuinely had this song in my head for so long every time i hear it i be whistlin and whistlin

or just reply to this email! what did you think? what would you change? how are you?

next edition out next tuesday! (also back to normaly weekly emails from now on)