Makeout Tactics – Skunk House


Buffalo indie-pop outfit Makeout Tactics has released their first EP, Skunk House. Waxing philosophical, we are presented with a slice of life view of a group of friends in their 20s. Seemingly mundane, these stories and experiences are elevated through their eyes, creating a compelling story that captures our attention.

 

The EP opens with “311,” laced with a heartfelt urgency that draws you right in. Anchored by the haunting vocals of Akasya Croiser, lyrics float ethereally over the jangly and enveloping guitar lines. The banality of placing a 311 call becomes a plea; a call to action. Second is the driving “Laundromat Thief” which opens with guitars that could play against a gunslinger showdown in a Western. We are then presented with a scenario in which someone has stolen our narrator’s underwear (amongst other things). “Laundromat Thief” is a driving track that underpins our narrator’s struggles. While the drums rise and fall, they lead to a spoken word monologue, questioning why the thief would target them specifically. Suddenly, there’s a tonal change, and we are introduced to the Laundromat Thief themselves, before a ripping guitar solo plays out.

 

Third is “Token Transit” which acts as a buzzy, almost joyful foil to the previous tracks. With gang vocals that recall bands like Los Campesinos!, “Token” reminds our protagonist to “Get On the Bus!” The EP closes with “Weather” a floating dance-pop track that pairs the narrator with someone, perhaps an ex lover, that they’d rather not be talking to. Hence, whenever they’re together, they’re only talking about the weather. The conversational nature of the lyrics play well against our narrator’s wish that the talk would just end.

 

There’s no wasted space on this punchy four track ripper,  which shows a band that understands their sound and how to maximize their impact. Check it out on Spotify and Apple Music, or, preview it via YouTube below.

 

 

 

 

Categorised in: Album Reviews, Buffalo

This post was written by John Smigielski

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