(((((OPENmind/SATURATEDbrain))))): NEW GRASS

Saturday, 18 December 2021

NEW GRASS

Band: NEW GRASS
Genres: Punk / Rock / Post-Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Mathcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Noise / Ambient / Experimental
Related artists: Guillemet.
Country: Illinois U.S.A.
Years Active: 2013-present
For fans of: Capsule, Itto, Kidcrash, Smile To The Wind, Edhochuli, and Crowning.
Label(s): Zegema Beach Records / The Ghost Is Clear Records

NEW GRASS is the (mostly) solo project of Lucio Oquendo. His first recording for the project came out in 2015 in the form of three phenomenal, mathy-screamo jams titled 'Fake Drums'. A few years later 'Pop Songs' was released and the six tracks have much more of a dreamy rock vibe. 'Four More' followed the year after (in 2020) showcasing more of the same, before throwing down two singles and a three-song EP ('Three Nocturnes') in early 2021 with more electronics, noise, and ambiance. If you were to look at this trajectory you'd assume nothing more of the mathy-screamo variety would be forthcoming. Well, you'd be fucking wrong.

Because about a year ago Mr. USofDave himself (Dave Cullen of Crowning/Zegema Beach Records USA) contacted Lucio in order to release the 'Fake Drums' EP on 7" lathe. Good news, he found out that Lucio had an entirely new EP written in the vein of the first release and would record it so we could put both the old and the new EPs on a 12". And thus 'Scordatura_Perforations' was born. With this housing all of my favourite skramz jamz, it only seems fitting for me to shed some light on a genre I actually know shit about, and will bypass the rock/electronic releases.

Starting off both the LP and the new set of songs, "dip loop/the light" blazes right outta the gate with the force of a rocket heading into space, which is where one of the guitars tends to end up when it's not making a steaming pot of noodles. At the 1:15 mark that absolutely essential bass riff makes its first appearance, and then loops around like the title suggests for about 30 seconds before taking a dip into swirling post-hardcore. "grayland pack" was the album's first single and is similar to the opener in its onslaught of layers, melodies and riffs. 2:20+ is probably the highlight for me but the entire track is one helluva journey.

The vocals haven't been mentioned yet and are very reminiscent of James from Itto/Crowning fame in the fact that they are yelled more than screamed, and are bursting with emotion. "k-14_1.13" is another brain overload, although this one is done through wonderfully constructed layers and less mindboggling noodles, which are more present leading up to the close. This jam also features Aeryn from Massa Nera screaming the shriller "lost forever" lines. "op/we're all so fucked" is probably the most mature and complete song on here, but for some reason the epicness is dwarfed by my near-constant hunger for noodles, although from 2:30 onward it's right up my alley.

The next set of songs were initially released as 'Fake Drums' but make up the incredible b-side to this record. Beginning with the utter beast of a track titled "Moksha" (complete with distant synths) and transitioning to the astounding 'Vidya' with its chaotic tornado of notes and time signatures, the EP ends on "Kama", another epic track on par with "op/we're all so fucked" but slathers the heaviness over the entire thing. You've also got a previously unreleased track "Caskette (Guillemet)" which features Bryan from Guillemet contributing some additional vocals. It's a gorgeously constructed track that brings to mind Capsule, Kidcrash, and Edhochuli aka some excellent goddamned company. Closer "organ solo" is 3:19 of ambient/noise, providing an introspective breather before going back and starting this sensational album again. And again. And again.

I don't know what is planned for the band next, but I heard some shows might be in the works. In the meantime please do yourself a favor and listen to this in full with headphones...it's otherworldy.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2021 - Scordatura_Perforations 12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

2021 - Three Nocturnes EP (stream/donate/download here)

2021 - 32 Bars single (stream/donate/download here)

2021 - Klimt's On His Deathbed single (stream/donate/download here)

2020 - Four More EP (stream/donate/download here)

2019 - Five Pop Songs EP (stream/donate/download here)

2015 - Fake Drums EP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2021) NEW GRASS - "dip loop/the light" (from 'Scordatura Perforations')