(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, Singles Broken Up is meant to function as a speed date of sorts for readers short on time but still find themselves thirsting for math rock new and notable, so… meet the singles. Here’s hoping you’re ready to mingle, because this week we’ve got you covered with the drops below:)
Inoculous – “A Safe Space To Crash Out”
If you’ve been feeling like there hasn’t been enough truly crunchy math rock out there, Inoculous is out to prove you wrong. They make an airtight argument with “A Safe Space to Crash Out,” nailing a sense of frenetic frustration while retaining their melodic prowess, but they also throw in a surprisingly lush and beautiful bridge section that we kind of wish went on forever. Regardless, you can easily hear how Kyle and Demetri have leveled up for their upcoming record, not just as individual players but as a unit. We’ve got more about their new album coming up shortly, but for now the rollicking single will have to suffice.
Caspian – “Remain”
Caspain just dropped one of the most expansive songs of their career to tease their upcoming self-titled record, their first since 2020’s On Circles. It opens with beautiful piano leads and soft guitars, but halfway through it takes the same ideas and makes them into mountainous monoliths with crashing drums and guitar. It’s post-rock done right, but Caspian has always done post-rock right – they’re certainly not stopping now, and we can’t wait to hear the rest when it’s out 10/16.
Fight Cloud – “Ease to Breathe”
Fight Cloud are back and they’re getting heavier and broodier, but also even more beautiful. Hell, if you ever wondered what a cross between TTNG and Deftones might sound like, this could very well be it. It’s got the nimble math rock with dexterous parts, but also unhinged vocal parts and transportive atmosphere. Around the Light is due at the end of the month and we’ll have more to say then, but “Ease to Breathe” should give you more than enough to hold on to till then.
Patter – “Now”
Emo laced math rock from Chicago is a hot commodity, but Patter just started teasing their latest record Now with an emotive the title track that really gives them an edge. That said, it does so with subtlety – there’s a borderline uneven structure to it, but the charmingly awkward shuffle easily wins you over if you’re into softer, kinder-than-average dynamics and great vocal hooks.
Utsubanka “Seacide”
You know it’s good when you stop what you’re doing to text the other writer, “hey, I think you might like this.” When messaging Haunt, we mentioned that it’s not unlike the Tenchio song we fell in love with last week, but slightly slower and like it might have come from the 80’s. Okay, for the 80’s it would have made people’s heads explode, but suffice it to say what we have here is emotive, raw, and lightly sequined. Whatever it is, it’s highly recommended.
Crossley, Kollar, Ligeti – “They Are Coming”
We have to imagine that putting out a single for an improvised noise-meets-jazz set is pretty challenging, but honestly this trio makes it seem like a breeze. There’s an instantly intriguing synth arp, fantastically layered drums, and superhuman fusion licks. The full record titled Solace is coming soon, and honestly it’s not the kind of things that’s easily sought after, it just has to find you naturally. We’re really glad this one found us in our inbox, and we’re stoked to share it with everyone else.
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