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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J Prozac – “Building Blocks”
Rum Bar Records, 07 January 2022
“Building Blocks” is the lead song on J Prozac’s 2-song single and it’s ridiculously contagious. The vocal melody is so engaging and the backing vocals set it all off so nicely. The bass is all hook and the lead guitar won’t get outta my head. I can’t get over how simple, innocent, and fun this song comes off. This is all hit and no miss. The second song, a cover of The Manges “Mandy”, is really cool, too. Just sugary ear-candy with more awesome backing vocals and a real “feel good” vibe going for it. So so good.
Favorite Song: “Building Blocks”
Review by RYAN
Parasite Diet – “This Crooked Thing”
Laptop Punk Records, 11 January 2022
A quick rev-up, melodic vocals and bass, and then Parasite Diet takes off. The “oh” and “yea yea yea yea” backing vocals are spot-on and the lead vocals are pretty singalongable and feel sweetly genuine. The music goes by at a mid-tempo pace with a nice mix, a real bounce to the drums, and a lead guitar that makes me jealous. It’s not your run-of-the-mill pop punk, and that lets the unique songwriting really come through. This one’s a catchy winner if you are looking for something that leans hard into the pop side of pop punk.
Review by RYAN
Escape From The Zoo – “Wasted Years”
Fat Wreck Chords, 12 January 2022
So here goes my second run from the husband-wife tandem Escape From The Zoo (featuring Jesse Sendejas from Days N’ Daze). Once “Wasted Years” gets going, it tips with good speed to the galloping drums, shambolic hi-hats, and a super melodic lead guitar. I appreciate the back-and-forth singing from the ragged-sounding Jesse and the more gentle, almost innocent singing Veronica. I’m not as big a fan of the slowed bridge with the jittery ska rhythm, but it kicks back into a maelstrom soon enough and closes strong. So now there’s 2 Zoo songs I’m pretty good with .
Review by RYAN
Animal Collective – “Strung With Everything”
Domino Records Co., 20 January 2022
For over a minute, atmospheric sounds bounce around slowly and almost chaotically before the music finds its way through. Don’t let that deter you. Once “Strung” gets going, it falls in with the other singles from the upcoming Time Skiffs. It’s another reverb-soaked organic trip with some unique and sweet melodies, a whimsical romp that sounds otherworldly through headphones. It feels askew and off throughout and is completely endearing in a way that pretty much only Animal Collective can.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
