First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews of singles, 7″s, and shorter EPs, which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which wouldn’t get a full review on their own.
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Korja – “Livre pra Fumar”
Self-released, 13 January 2022
Okay, Brazilian band Korja likes marijuana a bunch. “Livre pra Fumar” (“Free to Smoke”) is a buzzing punk song with a guitar tone that stands out to me. It’s got a bunch of angsty rawness that fits the music well. The drums drive and the bass keeps pace just fine. But I can’t get over the serrated guitar tone, it’s fantastic. I don’t speak Portuguese, so the lyrics are lost on me (though the message is fairly clear). But the vocals fit the music well and some nice “whoa-oh” backing vocals top it all off. Pretty good stuff.
Review by RYAN
The Future Lovers – “Mint Green Sweater”
Laptop Punk Records, 25 January 2022
I don’t know much of The Mixelpricks beyond a song or two, but The Future Lovers features Steve Hinckley from the band. “Mint Green Sweater” is the new, recently unearthed single from the project. It has a pretty simple buzzing guitar riff, a melodic bassline, and poppy double-tap drums, all together a fun mid-tempo pop. The lead vocals are unaffected and sincere, singing a lovelorn tale, and the backing “woo-ooh-ooh’s” are fantastic. A few stuttered rhythmic hooks just up the loose catchiness. This is good. Maybe I need to listen to a few more Mixelpricks songs, too.
Review by RYAN
Norcos Y Horchata – “Almost Lost My Thumb (To The Pinewood Derby)”
Self-released, 21 January 2022
Detroit’s Norcos Y Horchata’s fantastically-titled “Almost Lost My Thumb” starts with a cathartic blast before moving into a bit more tamed melodic territory. The verses drop in keys to up the catchiness factor and the bridge has a great rhythmic back-and-forth between the lead vocals and a group chant. But the chorus has some serious hooks that won’t get outta my head. And the whole thing tells a funny story of a bloody try at making a pinewood derby car only to be saved by his grandpa. I endorse this.
Review by RYAN
Teenagers – “My Pretty Baby Girl”
Laptop Punk Records, 27 January 2022
Indonesia’s Teenagers new single “My Pretty Baby Girl” is another cool pop punk song. It’s a mid-tempo number that opens with a cool instrumental piece before the song reigns in the noise and drops in the opening verse over top the muted chords. When the chorus opens things up, the rhythmic hooks and rising vocal melody hits right before some angsty singing melodies drive home the catchiness for good. I’ll be back for this one.
Review by RYAN
