Band: SMUSH
For fans of: Julie, Loveless, My Bloody Valentine, Duster, Slow Crush, Glaze, Glossing, Low, and Slow Pulp.
For fans of: Julie, Loveless, My Bloody Valentine, Duster, Slow Crush, Glaze, Glossing, Low, and Slow Pulp.
Genres: Rock / Noise Rock / Grunge / Alternative / Ambient / Shoegaze / Experimental
Related artists: Highland Eyeway.
Country: Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Years Active: 2022-present
Country: Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Years Active: 2022-present
Label(s): Softseed Music
My good friend Tom McCone sat on a kiwi once and told me about SMUSH. I hadn't heard of them, but after hearing/watching the two music videos on Youtube for "lizzy mcguire" and "if we didn't cry" I immediately contacted the band and asked to help out in any way I could. After getting the masters for the entire album I literally jumped at the opportunity to make vinyl for 'if you were here i'd be home now', as it truly blew my mind. The lush yet heavy shoegaze/noise rock instrumentals are the perfect vessel for Emily's syrupy sweet vocal delivery, bringing the Slows to mind (aka Slow Crush and Slow Pulp). Despite similarities to these newer bands, the root sound sprouts from 90s grunge/alternative and will likely appeal to anyone who grew up listening to that kind of music or anyone who listens to shoegaze.
My good friend Tom McCone sat on a kiwi once and told me about SMUSH. I hadn't heard of them, but after hearing/watching the two music videos on Youtube for "lizzy mcguire" and "if we didn't cry" I immediately contacted the band and asked to help out in any way I could. After getting the masters for the entire album I literally jumped at the opportunity to make vinyl for 'if you were here i'd be home now', as it truly blew my mind. The lush yet heavy shoegaze/noise rock instrumentals are the perfect vessel for Emily's syrupy sweet vocal delivery, bringing the Slows to mind (aka Slow Crush and Slow Pulp). Despite similarities to these newer bands, the root sound sprouts from 90s grunge/alternative and will likely appeal to anyone who grew up listening to that kind of music or anyone who listens to shoegaze.
It's hard to believe this album is the band's first attempt at a full length, let alone a release. Opener "if we didn't cry" smashes the listener with tidal waves of gazey, chunky guitars whilst layering utterly gorgeous singing over it all. The balance of soft/heavy is an awesome test of dynamics and the band clearly knows how to pull on the threads and manipulate the two in order to create mesmerizing, gravitationally dangerous art. "fivefivefive" and "loafofyarn" do a similar balancing act, with tracks such as "heartless" and "new house" leaning more into the heavier/noisier side of things while "goodnight moon" and "lizzy mcguire" are prime examples of the band tackling their sound from the softer end. I'd be an asshole not to mention the most excellent vocal delivery in "horse drawing" and the way it perfectly compliments the staggering weight of the instruments. And finally, my ultimate SMUSH jam is the penultimate, writhing, trippy, sleeper hit known as "sweetheart" complete with some immaculate screaming near the close.
Amidst the bangers are some breathers and atmosphere builders, which help lead the album in a more defined direction while providing additional substance and textures. Examples of this include bass/synth driven song "bedtime spirits" that is perfect for driving through the night, "zboy" has a lotta loopin' giving it a glitchy game intro feel, and "gates ave." is looping ambient noise.
Worth noting, just a few weeks back I took the ferry over to Vancouver and caught the band at their release show and was, straight up, blown away. They were equally crushing and intoxicating, rocking two guitars and an acoustic in addition to the drums and bass. The sound and general feeling exuded by the members permeated the room, filling it with a mixture of anger, sadness, and acceptance - and I vibed super fucking hard with that shit. By the end of the set Emily let out a few closing shrieks as the band's set ended, giving it an conclusion that this screamo dude scarfed down in no time. On that note I'll let the music and live video I took speak for themselves below.
I honestly don't see this being unseated as my favourite album of 2024. Please pick it up on 12" from Softseed Music (links to stores available here).
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DISCOGRAPHY
2024 - if you were here i'd be home now cassette/12"LP (stream/pre-order 12"/buy here )
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(2024) SMUSH - "sweetheart" (from 'if you were here i'd be home now') LIVE
(2024) SMUSH - "lizzy mcguire" (from 'if you were here i'd be home now') official music video
(2024) SMUSH - "if we didn't cry" (from 'if you were here i'd be home now') official music video
(2024) SMUSH - "horse drawing" (from 'if you were here i'd be home now')
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