No bones about it – it’s been an absolute onslaught of seasonal released at math rock HQ. Frankly, we’ve barely been able to scratch the surface but it’s dumps like today’s that remind us that’s a great problem to have.
Each and every time we’ve dropped a Single Broken Up, it’s added several LP’s and EP’s to the list we use for dumps. At first that just meant more dumps and more often, but now it’s so intense that internally we’re having to invest in new methods of communication and organization. That too is a great thing.
In short, we keep losing track because you keep throwing shit at the wall. But it’s amazing, glorious shit indeed, and we can’t thank you enough. But enough talk, let’s get to the dump with releases from Auto Icon, HISS, A-Tota-So, Austin TV and many more.
Sewage – Sewage Picture
Why not start off the dump with something… well, appropriate. Not only is sewage on theme for dumps, the dreamy Seattle math rock band has some serious melancholy chops. Furious drums under jangling guitars and soothing vocals, this one’s a no brainer for people looking for something cozy but cathartic at the same time.
A-Tota-So – I Told You So
IT’S FINALLY OUT! This UK band has come such a long way since their S/T, and that’s a record we’ll always love but their growth over the last couple records has been truly inspiring. I Told You So feels like more than a clever riff on the pronunciation of their name and far more like a band fully coming into their own by embracing punk, grunge, post-hardcore, and of course, vocals. If 2022’s Lights Out was the experiment, their new LP is proof of success – everything here feels elevated by several degrees without losing sight of what made them unique in the first place, and if that’s not victory, we don’t know what is.
AUSTIN TV – MA
For those unaware, AUSTIN TV is one of Mexico’s premier experimental math rock bands, and whether or not you’ve been in on it, MA makes for an excellent starting point. It’s so psychedelic it’s almost unstable, but it’s extremely engrossing despite every boundary dissolving before you through metallic stabs and tense, effect-soaked tableaus.
Auto Icon – get a fucking life
Hunter Johnson of the beloved Charger Port has another band now, and damn is it some hot heat. Auto Icon feels a lot more akin to emo violence and mathcore a la Terror Cell, but it leans into light speed song lengths almost closer to grindcore. That being said, the arrangements are pretty experimental and for a unique identity easily worth a closer look if you’re wanting something constantly heavy but utterly unpredictable.
DUCK! – Imprint
Almost something verging more on the edge of experimental garage rock with math-y elements, this instrumental extravaganza knows how to fly high without losing sight of those most likely to be lured in by their sound. You could be solely into one or the other and still be impressed by the way they handle both, and by the end of the EP we just wanted to hear more.
HISS – A CHEAPENED CROWN
Another blast of heavy heat out of Portland, this is one of those bands we’re sure that at some point is going to garner Chat Pile comparisons, which we love, but tend to obscure what’s actually happening. HISS actually has more of an edge – it’s a debut that feels like it’s made from seething snakes and gnashing werewolf teeth, so if you’re pissed, confused, and not sure where to turn like so many others, we’d point you to A CHEAPENED CROWN.
Primate House – S/T
This is one of those records that, due to an insane release schedule, would be tempting to overlook based on the simple fact you haven’t heard them before. The thing is, you should have. It’s arty post-hardcore from Brooklyn that absolutely pierces expectations, confidently hopping from one dynamic to the next without ever repeating itself. We were big fans of “Numb Skull,” the record’s single, but on the whole it’s a far more dangerous and brooding affair than we would have predicted, leaning into early emo’s more rage soaked flair. We can’t recommend it enough.
Encapsulated Enigma – The City of Everybody, Nobody
Switching it up entirely we’ve got this San Diego solo project that has a really fascinating theme, that is capturing the feelings of a city itself. Not so much a particular city, but the idea of one. It mainly uses an 8-bit palette, but the production is surprisingly varied and you can tell just how much thought went into the execution.
GUACK – Have We Done This Already?
Kevin Antreassian produced this mesmerizingly odd math rock EP, and though that’s generally enough for our readers to dive in, it very much stands on its own merit. There’s an overall sheen of emotional post-hardcore, but it doesn’t stick to one place for long as it bursts and explodes all over the place, much like the all-timer side dish the band takes it’s name from.
Computer – Creature
Honestly, this sounds like what you’d get from Floral or Fake Pollocks if you reduced them down to a singular Ty, and we mean that as a huge compliment. It’s jagged but beautiful, and almost betrays something deeper than it can say outright but it absolutely gets the point across. Fans of the bands above, get acquainted with this animal immediately.
Hannibal Montana – Should Not Exist
You could try to agree with the record’s title and vaguely cheesy name if you’re the kind to judge a book by its cover, but damn you’d be doing yourself a disservice. No judgement though, we almost did, but we’re so glad we didn’t. This New York math rock band cuts straight to the core of things with impressively lush arrangements and lacerations of pure emotion. The drums alone are remarkable, but nothing feels background or subtle here, just mature enough to let you come to it on it’s own terms.
Darryl Saves Lives – All The Things I Couldn’t Say
Jesus, what can we even say – rollicking post-hardcore with strong emotional backbone is making a serious comeback this fall season. There are a number of recent bands and records we could point to, but there’s a certain turn of the century heavy punk thing happening that makes DSL unique. It may have been born too late to feature on an early Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack, but it’s just early enough that we recommend you get familiar with them before they blow up.
torschlusspanik – kiedy się obudziłem, było bardzo zimno
No, we can’t pronounce a single thing here, but we can tell you that it’s worth your attention despite any linguistic barriers you might be experiencing. Honestly, Poland seems to be heating the hell up with great post-punk and math rock, and this band is one of our new favorites of the bunch. There’s a heavy emphasis on pristine clean lurching into smoldering metal dynamics with a consistent sense of soul.
Monochromatic Residua – Forbidden Kaleidoscopic Abomination
Have you ever wondered what that lizard monster that fought Captain Kirk in the 60’s would listen to in his days off? You know, the Gorn? Well now you know – this utterly nasty microtonal death metal jambalaya truly feels like it came from another planet to invade this one, and if we’re not careful it just might – but you won’t catch us complaining.
Leon Sürder – Sunlight Through the Window
Guitar nerds, this one is absolutely for you. In a time where decent-enough tone is practically all too available, capturing a unique sonic palette is the next plateau, but let’s just say that takes time and practice, and it seems Leon’s had a lot of both. There’s a particular fizziness to both the rhythm and the leads, and he gets bonus points for pulling out the wah where it really counts.
our story without him – Which Determined our Future
This Chengdu based post-everything band had us truly confused at first, but by the time track two rolled around we were completely captivated. The EP feels distinctly modern in how it approaches math rock, but simultaneously rooted in both the past and future with unique vocal pads, jazzy drums, and otherworldly production. There’s also a bit of lo-fi and hip-hop influence, almost reminding us of Junizawa, a comparison we wish we were making far more often. It’s heady stuff, but we think you’ll really enjoy it.
Macha – See It Another Way
This is probably the weirdest thing on today’s dump, but it’s also one of the most accessible in the way it’s not harsh or deafening, just so expansive it’s liable to give you vaguely pleasurable surges of anxiety. More than the sound of agoraphobia or social discomfort, this Barcelona project projects a palpable sense of joy. Not everyone will get it, but those that do are in for an absolute treat.
(Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are always appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here as well. Don’t let the bastards get you down!)