MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 1/22/25
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Murf “My Neighbor”
This song is a hardcore riot which doesn’t skimp out on kicking and screaming. “My Neighbor” is sure to fuel a frenzy live with its dramatic energy and intense stop-start verses. Complete with the band wailing on their electric guitars and leaning into their carefully maintained chaos, this track from ALWAYS DEAD (EP released in June, 2024) just begs you to mosh to it. Murf’s brand of wild child punk rock is in your face, loud as hell, and extremely entertaining.
Linus “decatur”
Oh, Linus, how Omaha loved you. I regrettably couldn’t make your last show in my hometown, but you absolutely charmed some friends of mine who have posted enthusiastically about you since. It’s easy to see why you have such a grip on your listeners - tracks like “decatur” (from the album Andromeda, released in October, 2024) showcase your somehow delicate ferocity and bittersweet shoegaze flavor in its full glory. “decatur” is unafraid to hit hard with grimier riffs and distorted squealing, but flows back into dreamy spaciness effortlessly. It balances the two modes throughout, the give and take of its composition making each return to opposing form so tantalizing while the tender vocals croon softly - practically whispering - amongst it all.
Bugsy “Cat Versus Rabbit”
Instrumentally fabulous and with the sweet but powerful vocals to match, Bugsy stand strong in their sonic aesthetic on “Cat Versus Rabbit,” released as a single in July 2024. The lead guitar melody is infectious and beautiful, each phrase precisely manoeuvring around the rise and fall of Schoonover’s voice. Bugsy’s indie punk is a complete picture of musical vibrancy, with every member of the band locked in, making their instruments pulse with life. The riffs in “Cat Versus Rabbit” are moreish; I find myself hitting the repeat button to fall straight back into them.
RRA “Alright”
There are some avante-garde twists and turns to “Allright” which plant it in the experimental category. A very cool synth lead/drum machine combo drives the rhythm, while haunting and complex sounds prance and leap in and out of the repetitive beats. The vocals make the combination otherworldly as they bring these styles together with storytelling and ethereally held notes. From the “El Atlal” الأطلال album, which released in March, 2024, “Allright” is unpredictable while contemplative and beautiful.
Samuel John Band “Minnesota Goodbye”
From the EP of the same name released in August 2024, “Minnesota Goodbye,” dives headfirst into the classic country rock sound. It’s full of some seriously slick riffing that brings a wow factor to the track. With a hyper-local focus that lyrically pays tribute to the Midwestern urge to draw out your goodbyes, Samuel John Band have crafted a dangerously relatable song about finally committing to separate from someone you should’ve left behind long ago.
Cinematic Saints “Berlin”
This dreamy song is track 2 of 4 on the band’s Where Do We Go From Here? EP, released in February, 2024. “Berlin” wraps the listener up in a warm blanket of sound. Soul-stirring and cozy, Cinematic Saints know how to make and execute a beautiful composition. All pieces of this song coexist flawlessly, becoming one wave of uplifting, evocative noise. There’s no harshness to be found here, just good instrumentation and soft, soothing vocals. I am totally at ease while listening to this, and it’s nice to find comfort here.
