If You Are Around Still
Self-Released, 2024
10/10
Listen to If You Are Around Still
A quintet from Wisconsin who float around alt-rock, these 9 songs recorded by Steve Albini bring plenty of meticulous and energetic ideas.
“Summertime” starts the listen with strong attention to mood, where Chris Sasman’s thumping drums suit radiant guitars that touch on post-rock ideas, and “Suddenly” follows with Stephen McCabe’s distinct voice guiding Justing Mitchell’s dreamy keys amid the rich landscape.
“All You Do Is Lose” arrives in the middle and showcases Dean Hoffman’s bouncy bass lines in the quicker climate, while “Camera In Every Hole” rumbles a bit, as grit and power enter the more rugged climate.
Approaching the end, “Space Invaders” presents thicker guitar via Jay Spanbauer, where the raw post-punk unfolds with a hint of ambience, and “If You Are Around Still” exits with driving and meticulous alt-rock nods that swirls with wonder and dynamic interaction between the 5.
One of the last albums that Albini helped create before his unexpected death, Redshift Headlights are clearly an excellent rock band, and Albini illuminates their indie, alt, punk and post leanings with strong attention to detail that can be crunchy just as it can be pretty.
Travels well with: Guest Directors- Interference Patterns; Spells- Past Our Prime