So, I had food poisoning & couldn’t focus on anything, so obviously it seemed like the ideal time to start listening to this EP from No-Wave outfit Parlor Walls. It was. Nothing else could have fit my state of mind better than the way this work took over my mind in the place I was in. From the first opening drones of this packed EP I knew it was the music I needed right at that time. Taking me into crashing waves of nausea with guitar riffs and tones that are hyper-alienated but reconcilable enough to take you in and hold you there. The dreamy interludes took me away from myself and eased everything, only for me to realize it was still there just as the music came crashing back. The textural work in this is completely absorbing, standing out from any other element. But each part stands alone as well, from the taunting vocals to the tight and driven rhythms laid down here.
Giving it more listening time after I’ve healed, it’s a tremendous album that holds up. It feels longer than it is, in the best possible way – the song structures are great and the shifting sonic landscapes are compelling listen after listen.
Don’t eat sketchy food like I did because they’re coming to Somerville on Saturday the 28th and it’s gonna be sick (had to). Be there and catch them and three other rad bands instead.
