Slow Fiction Make Their Mark With Stellar Self-Titled Debut EP | The Noise
NYC indie-rock band Slow Fiction, comprised of vocalist Julia Vassallo, guitarists Joseph Skimmons and Paul Knepple, bassist Ryan Duffin, and drummer Akiva Henig have come a long way since finding each other through Craigslist ads and meeting through mutual friends. Emerging as a synthesis of emotional musicianship and honest lyricism, the band shines on their debut, self-titled EP, showcasing their natural talent and endless potential.
The record opens with the previously released single "In the distance, where it doesn't matter." Bright, early '90s guitar riffs drive the track, trailing an atmospheric hum of feedback and dancing rhythms. The single deals with tumultuous emotional turmoil, making it a deceivingly colorful number with its nostalgic and energetic sonics.
The band dance on a razor's edge in "Jericho," a heated upheaval of biblical proportions that constantly builds tension while releasing vibrant energy. Vassallo sings, "I witness small deaths at the pawnshop / Where strangers trade their lives / And then I pray at church on 6th street / Where my eyes are met with knives," utilizing the EP's rawer production style to significant effect, with frantic hi-hats and muted strums slicing through the mix like butter.
"Top 10 Movie Scenes" finds the band slowing down for a more expansive effort, crafting a widescreen offering traced with fuzzy indie rock textures. Lead singer Vassallo's vocals bring a sweet and effortlessly melodic counterpoint to the dreamy indie haze of guitarists Skimmons and Knepple. Whereas previous singles felt like cathartic bursts of movement and energy, "Top 10 Movie Scenes" steadily builds upwards in a simmering slow burn. Fittingly, the track's soaring climax feels perfect for a coming-of-age movie, capturing a vibrant high in brilliant instrumental color.
Listeners then breeze through the lighthearted and most lyrically biting song on the EP "Madman." With personal insecurities put to a summery, high-energy melody, the song lists the endless worries of the song's main character. The finale, "Brain Protection Agency," is a sublime effort that opens with more toned-down sonics led by full-bodied, dreamy guitar riffs and a solitary kick drum. Then, as the instrumentals begin to pick up the pace, listeners are taken on a journey that closes with a powerful squall of chaotic percussion, soaring vocals, and raging guitars and bass.
At their peak, Slow Fiction plays with a refreshing reckless abandon that seamlessly blends early '00s NYC garage rock, indie rock, and post-punk. Their debut EP regularly shifts through dynamic ranges and emotional angles but never stops being lively. Even in its calmest moments, Slow Fiction vibrates an undercurrent of vigorous energy, making it an endlessly listenable debut.
Listen to Slow Fiction below:
