Local Music Singles Roundup: October 2024
Local Music Reviews
It’s SLUG’s Local Music + Graphic Design Issue, and what would that be without our Local Music Singles Roundup? We surely have spent much of this issue talking about people who make music, venues where music is played and people who also talk about music as much as we do, but it’s time to talk about the music itself! Below are some of Utah’s most killer tracks from the last few months.
Anoxia
“Downward”
all:Lo
Street: 06.24
Anoxia= M83 + Nine Inch Nails + Boy Harsher
If you are looking for the perfect spooky electronic song for the dance floor, look no further. Salt Lake City musician, Anoxia’s track “Downward” is a compilation of heavy and synthesized beats that you can feel travel all the way down your spine as the track plays on. Combining elements of experimental electronic and darkwave, the sounds pulsate at the beat, creating these higher pitches that bounce around in your eardrums. With no lyrics, the gothic single purely focuses on the fast paced electronic style, along with an ominous undertones to the song. “Anoxia” means, “an absence of oxygen,” which complements the single and cover to a T. The painted on red arrows, almost like tears of blood, are shown on the track cover to represent the single title, “Downward.” As Halloween season approaches, check out Anoxia’s music and single now! –India Bown
Bonestorm
“Wallachian Warfare”
Self-Released
Street: 08.11
Bonestorm = Darkthrone + Sepultura
The soundtrack to a barbaric display of guerilla warfare and the primeval gore that follows hand-to-hand combat is “Wallachian Warfare”, one of the two songs off of Bonestorm’s newest release, Bonestorm EP II. It’s a sonic portrait of the storied and ancient violence that once made kings out of normal men. This is the second release from the kvlt-ish SLC locals and while the sound from their first release is notably different than that of their sophomoric effort, each entry on the Bonestorm discography is, without a doubt, as raw as it comes in terms of recording, musicianship and songwriting. If you’ve ever found yourself searching for a musical backdrop that fits your medieval aesthetic while not bumming out your beer slamming, head banging, no good son-of-a-gun thrasher buddies? Then look no further, Bonestorm’s “Wallachian Warfare” is the perfect compromise. –CJ Hanck
Debrider
“Mortar”
Self-Released
Street: 08.07
Debrider = Cannibal Corpse + Suffocation
Debrider is back and shredding some murderous riffs with their new single “Mortar.” This single is a symphony of chaos and wrath, but that is to be expected, as the band is known for their merciless sound. The introduction is pretty brutal and has no gradual build up; it is pretty much the heaviest riffs and percussions followed by Jake Arnold’s filthy vocals. I’d like to highlight the intensity of this song’s transition into heavy half-time breaks while keeping its same tempo. Johnny Nikoloff on guitar and Max Muscolino on bass create this atmosphere while Bryan Blanco, on drums tops it off with his violent sound. Debrider has mastered how to showcase the feeling of fear and pain through their sound. The cover art for this single is a masterpiece of its own, with only one word to describe it—“Carrion.” So next time you are in the mood to feel these same emotions, give “Mortar” a listen. –Litzi Estrada
Eldersister
“Let You Slip”
Amusement Co. Records
Street: 07.18
Eldersister = Stevie Nicks + Natalie Maines
Move aside “Landslide,” Eldersister’s “Let You Slip” is the masterfully produced folksy break-up track we’ve all been waiting for to top off the summer and welcome fall. Kaitlin Sevy and Marissa Sevy Thompson’s deliciously twangy vocal delivery harmonizes in a way that punches you in your gut and haunts your eardrums long after your first (or twelveth) listens. Although littered with far too relatable, yet witty, lyrics like, “Gauged Earlobes, artisan soap, records lined up wall to wall / Myspace photos, menthol Rhotos, you were dancing in the hall” the song takes a turn, following up with sincerely reflective lyrics one would expect on a break-up track like, “I wasn’t strong enough then for that kind of man you were shaping up to be” and “I couldn’t feel you right there with me, clouded by the smoke and poetry.” With “Brat Summer” coming to a close, “Let You Slip” is the perfect way to start cooling off just in time for the highly anticipated “Christian Girl Autumn” months. Thank us later. –Yonni Uribe
Poolhouse
“Yesterday”
Cinch Productions Inc.
Street: 07.02
Poolside = The 1975 + The Backseat Lovers + Vampire Weekend
Indie trio Poolside have released their newest single “Yesterday.” Reveling in the airy indie guitar that coats its predecessors in the genre, the track crafts a low-key vibe. A romantic view of the past, the track reminds the audience of the melancholy feel of what could’ve been. Instrumentally, the track is a bit of an earworm but leans slightly into being too repetitive (despite interesting and definitely intentional songwriting to combat that); the track ends with a bizarrely fiery and impressive guitar solo to change things up. “Yesterday” sounds like The 1975 attempting to make more of an indie rock beat than ever before, a forgotten The Backseat Lovers song, or a song from Vampire Weekend from an alternate universe—the song sounds like it should be illegal to listen to at any time but the summer. As the group’s 5th single release in the past year, it would be very unsurprising for this track to be part of a larger collection. If indie rock is your dance, this will have you moving for sure. –Jake Fabbri
The What-Nots
“Fight”
Sunspell Records
Street: 09.04
The What-Nots = Diamond Hands + Mannequin Pussy
The first and second rules of Fight Club are as follows: you do not talk about Fight Club. However I don’t run with cliques or gatekeepers, so Brad Pitt be damned, listen to The What-Nots at your earliest convenience. Their latest single, “Fight” embodies the back-and-forth between any two parties in a conflict, especially if it’s an infamous “self vs. self” situation. Kicking off with an intro reminiscent of Animal Collective’s “My Girls,” the track then seamlessly melts into a fluent flow of melody. The euphonious background vocals ring like a siren calling for a battle of wills. The drums’ thrashing is as forceful as an ocean’s current. The bridge throws the listener into the eye of the dispute by amping up the rowdiness and then delivering them to the other side. The lyrics “I want everyone I know to forget they ever knew me / So I can disappear into the freezing depths of that body of water” drenches the surf rock inspiration in the icy cold terrain of Utah’s peaks and valleys. It’s sink or swim. –Marzia Thomas
Graphic Designer: Katya Pogodaeva | katya-pogodaeva.com | @katya.loves.her.scanner
Walk us through how you created this layout. What inspired you when designing it?
I was thinking of cool science concepts like entropy and fusion—I don’t think I can elaborate.
Tell us about your design background. How has your style evolved over time?
I’ve been making things since I was little, and was lucky enough to find a suitable major of Multidisciplinary Design in college. From there, I started freelancing concert posters for friends, and it spiraled into what @katya.loves.her.scanner is today.
What are some of your design inspirations or influences?
I’ve been into textures lately; I think interesting texture is [my] biggest inspiration at the moment. I’m also a huge fan of Braulio Amado (designed Amyl and the Sniffers’ Comfort to Me album cover) and Henri Chopin.
What does your graphic design process usually look like?
Chaotic, with a lot of back and forth between digital and analog practices.
What is your favorite aspect of graphic design?
It’s overwhelming, in a good way.
Read more singles roundups from past months:
Local Music Singles Roundup: January 2024
Local Music Singles Roundup: June 2024