UV-TV:The Optimistic Wrench

New York-based UV-TV’s newest release, The Optimistic Wrench is out now on Papercup Music. This album moves away from their usual punk-influenced sound in favor of dreamy landscapes that would be a fitting soundtrack to a fall evening.

 The Optimistic Wrench’s opening track, “Pale Blue Island,” starts with an alien-like sound that intensifies into a smooth drum intro. As the intro rolls to its conclusion, Vocalist/bassist Rose Vastola slides in with her smooth delivery of the lyrics, “Heard a witness say they saw the crash. An autograph, an honest laugh.” Despite the nostalgic sound and seductiveness, reminiscent of a 1960s spy film theme. “Pale Blue Island” has an impending sense of doom that can’t be ignored. Vastola desperately sings lyrics such as “I’ve watched our cities burn. With no semblance of the past. Countdown engines on. With both feet pressed on the gas,” to remind us how fleeting our time is on this island.

 Halfway through the record, we are interrupted by the beautifully sparse song “Stunned and Graceless.” Over the delicate keyboard that sounds throughout this song, Vastola tells the story of loss from the outside looking in.  We can feel the emotional rawness when she sings, “Your deep pain I can’t change. Although I tried. I tried.” Contributing to the gentle, somber atmosphere of the song is lead guitarist Ian Burn’s ambient guitar. Each time Burn’s comes in it brings a feeling of sad calm that a rainy day would provide.

 Taking a quick turn from dream-pop to a surf-rock inspired sound is the title track, “The Optimistic Wrench.” Going from the serene vocals of the previous tracks, Vastola shows her vocal range by switching to a feistier style to fit perfectly with her fierce lyrical content, such as “Put in a bottle. I want to forget. You’re one tough cookie. Plateau of regret.” From Burn’s extremely catchy surf guitar, the explosive and technical drum work of Ian Rose, and the eerie keyboard of Noah Deemer, this song showcases the best of each member of UV-TV.

 Overall, The Optimistic Wrench is a gorgeously written EP. Each song is enchanting and musically technical in a sneaky way. Lyrically, as you listen, you will find yourself contemplating the very fabric of our existence on this planet, our relationships with each other, and how we can be better.

Hayley and the Crushers: Unsubscribe From the Underground

Hayley and the Crushers have unleashed their new EP Unsubscribe from the Underground via Kitten Robot Records. This EP displays equal parts rock and roll grittiness with heartwarming sugary pop.

Unsubscribe from the Underground starts with the lead single “Unsubscribe” which has a mission to seduce you. But the song falls short before each chorus with an unnecessary pause and drum roll. Just as the song is starting to gain traction, it is abruptly interrupted by an out-of-place bridge.

After this, is the sugary pop-punk song “Alleyways” an ode to the years that have passed us all by. During the bouncy chorus, Vocalist and guitarist, Hayley Cain sings “Take me to the alleyway. Pass the beers like yesterday. Never thought I’d see the changing of the guard.” with yearning for simpler times.

In the middle of the record Hayley and the Crushers slow it down with “Blood Treasure”. A beautifully written punk love song for the ages. This song paints a vivid picture of two lovers remembering the road they have traveled together. You’re transported to the party these lovers met when Cain delivers the lyrics “Making out in the backyard. Rain pounding my heart out of beat. Singing Come on Eileen” The whimsy of this story is brought together with one of the best whistle solos since Guns N’ Roses song “Patience”.

The album winds down with the tracks, “Let Go” followed by the cover of Juice Newton’s classic “Queen of Hearts”. “Let Go” will surely get your blood pumping with its aggressive guitars and vocals. This will surely become a favorite at their live shows. “Queen of Hearts” stays true to the original. Yet it adds a bit of a snarl in the chorus to make it their own.

Unsubscribe from the Underground spends its time teasing you with brilliantly written songs mixed with a couple of fillers. Those brilliant songs will play with your heart and leave you wanting more.

Scrunchies: Colossal

Minneapolis-based Scrunchies is releasing Colossal their follow-up to 2022s Feral Coast to the World. As one of the last projects that Steve Albini recorded, listeners will appreciate how this record embodies the authentic sound that he valued throughout his career.

Colossal’s opening track, “Brute,” begins with a lone guitar that quickly explodes into a rhythm that provides a taste of what’s to come. Soon after, Laura Larson’s vocals enter with the lyrics “Meet me at the water’s edge, I’ll be the one swelling, buried me in fruit and flesh, dissolving at the seams.” It becomes clear that she separates herself as a unique lyricist by utilizing this poetic surrealism. With this, Scrunchies create a distinct sound of post-punk with a hint of 1990s grunge.

Several tracks stand out from the rest of the album without sounding like misplaced b-sides, including the lead single “The Empire.” This track keeps it simple with fast guitar, punchy lead vocals, and well-placed backing screams by drummer/vocalist Danielle Cusack. The song explores the theme of personal growth and internal conflict through lyrics like, “Swallow the old growth. It won’t go away. It’s in the clearing. It’s a stowaway, in the mirror.” Moments like these are scattered throughout the album, which is how Colossal will resonate universally with listeners.

Another stand-out track is “Load,” with the first half of the song being a sparse musical journey that will make you want to take a desert road trip. As the trumpet sounds in the second verse, you feel as if the sand is stirring and that you are about to encounter a storm. The thunder begins in verse three with a blast of the drums, bass, and distorted guitar. As the song ends with a climax of distortion, you will be left feeling like you are riding off into the sunset having survived the chaos.

From start to finish, Colossal will captivate listeners with its post-punk style, haunting lyrical imagery, and compelling vocals that inspire resistance and inward reflection.

The Mons: Axes Bold As Fuck

The Mons' newest album Axes: Bold as Fuck has a nice calm intro before it begins to mix early hardcore with 70's style punk rock. The vocals by Matt Vecchio are thought-provoking and existential.

While the album is great from start to finish, some standout tracks have become part of my daily listening routine. My absolute favorite track is 'Nobody From Nowhere', a song that starts with a simple drum beat and a fist-pumping chorus of "I'm nobody from nowhere, I don't belong to anywhere, don't pretend like you really care". To me, this song exemplifies the theme of standing outside of a world that has been burning for years but thinks the fire is in the name of progress.

These Chicago punk rock veterans have written an instant classic full of anti-establishment songs with melodic chaos reminiscent of bands like Quicksand or Drive like Jehu. I recommend giving this album a listen or two and diving deep into each member's past musical projects to get a sense of how all of their styles have gracefully melded together to create this standout record.

Strung Out: Dead Rebellion

Strung Out's latest album, Dead Rebellion, is their tenth studio release. The album tries to retain the band's signature sound and mix of politically charged and heartfelt lyrics that fans have come to love since their formation in 1989. However, some listeners may feel that the album falls short of capturing the greatness of their past releases.

This album initially sounds like a sonic masterpiece where stand-out tracks 'Future Gods' and 'New Owls' sound like anthems for new and old punks alike, then everything after becomes a musically stale version of their previous work. What could have helped this album be better is to have released it as a five or six-song EP and just cut out the filler. Songs like 'Life You Bleed' or 'Empire Down' feel like they were rushed and not thought out.

Despite the music mostly sounding like a slightly off Strung Out cover band the content of Jason Cruz's lyrics is still rich with anger and heartbreak. The emotional snarl that Jason delivers when he sings "A nihilistic love letter, do they think they know better? We can ride all night till the fucking wheels fall off" will make you want to jump in the pit.

Throughout the decades of listening to this band, they have had ups and downs musically yet Jason Cruz's lyrics have continued to keep me listening. I don't know what that says about me but the songs 'Cages' and 'New Gods' will be on my summer playlist.