(Editor’s Note: Every once in a while we’re asked why there aren’t more Don Caballero puns around the site, and you know what? Maybe we haven’t lived math rock, maybe that’s on us. Either way, the Singles Broken Up column is meant to function as a speed date of sorts for readers short on time that still find themselves thirsting for the new and notable, so… ready to mingle? Excellent – this week we’ve got you covered with drops from Polyphia, Elephant Gym, Highsigh, Deathsleep, and Squid Pisser.)
Polyphia – “CAN YOU FEEL IT”
Well, first off, the answer to that question is absolutely-fucking-lutely. Though the band released an ‘official’ video days after, but we’re not sure why when what made the drop so effective was it’s bold compilation video with special guests like Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, the Obamas, the Clintons, the destruction of Gaza, Jeff Bezos’ rocket exploding, and so much more. Freakishly, just about everything shown is captured from real life. Not generated. That’s probably worth thinking about. Sonically, up until Remember You Will Die we had a difficult time taking the band seriously, and this song doesn’t really follow the same path, but we can see it working as an evolution from it. “CAN YOU FEEL IT” doesn’t try to push any boundaries – just party up against them while they can as a treat. Besides, even if it’s not as flashy or shred-oriented, it’s got strong Y2K dance vibes, and that’s a logical evolution from the last record, so at this point we’re just vibing.
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Deathsleep – “Sapphire”
Did you know Ben Rossett from Strawberry Girls has another project? We didn’t, and we’re stoked to report that it’s actually fresh as hell. “Sapphire” has a super smart mix of math rock tapping, chill production, post-hardcore structure and soaring vocals that transcend tropes and expectations, giving off more of a Circa Survive feel than we would have expected and a grounded one at that. This project could have easily leaned into something more explicitly swan-core or emo sound, but it seems they’re digging deep to create something resonant and real, so we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what’s next.
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Elephant Gym – “Highway”
Elephant Gym just dropped a sparse but supremely lush math rock banger with “Highway.” As always, the band exudes class with their busy baselines and nimble guitars, but the drums feel like they get a bit of a blowup here and we absolutely love it. Chia-Chin Tu has always been an impressive drummer but this one feels like there’s just more freedom and fun being used to illustrate the actual narrative of the song. The music video itself actually drives this point home and while for some that might be obvious, like of course the visual element accentuates the subject, we found it really refreshing. It’s well shot and well produced, but very much about their lived experience of leaving home, touring, and coming back – the full circle.
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HIGHSIGH – “I Love the Room I Live In”
Honestly, we were overwhelmed by the very idea of this supergroup coming to us from the impeccable Joyful Noise camp. Not only do we have the formidable talents of Ro Lundberg of JOBS and Matt Mehlan of Skeletons, we also have John Dietrich of Deerhoof, and the resulting chemistry is truly interesting. The newest single is particularly rad with smashed up distorted drum breaks and all kinds of machine whirrs in the background of stab-y guitars and hypnotic vocals. It’s a little slower than their other single “Words We Choose,” which might be our favorite of the two as it seems to bridge the sounds of ye olde Strobes with the lofty weirdness you’d expect from HIGHSIGH’s members other projects. Overall, we’re just excited. Between the two, it seems this band is creating something special and original.
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Squid Pisser – “Mucus”
Let’s close things out with one of the most vile yet focused sonic assaults Squid Pisser has ever thrust into our ears. Honestly, this single teases some Iowa level shit – the song moves like a syrupy sea of nastiness, but underneath there is a unifying sort of fear factor that feels more genuine than it ever has before. It almost feels like the psychotic irony of the band caught up with itself, and though we’d hesitate to call the song more ‘personal because it’s still a wailing, grind-y, thrash-y good time, there’s something deeper here and we can’t wait to hear the rest of Throat Slave when it’s finally out. Yep. That’s really the name of their upcoming ‘full length EP.’ Outrageous – have a great weekend!
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