An alt-rock success shifting between dreamy intrigue and fuzzed-out ardor, Dystopian Days is the new album from Detroit-based artist Hey Look Listen, the songwriting project of Gwen Katherine. Blending shoegaze textures with indie rock hooks, the record translates 21st-century economic and ecological crises into a defiant wall of sound. Katherine utilizes loud, noisy guitars while navigating the chaos of modern existence, finding hope within the madness.
Jangling guitars and steady rhythms stir on the opening “Doomsday Clock,” commencing with a retro vocal sample, exuding a declaration of things being “science fiction.” Moody vocals suggest otherwise, letting out: “This time machine is breaking down / We’ve gone too far there’s nothing left.” Lyrical perspectives of aspiring for change, but the outcomes just “getting more deranged,” are bolstered by a shoegaze-y guitar textural pull — crafting a track that excels in both its modern thematic poignancy and melodic rock disposition. The ensuing “Country of Fear” excels as well in its climactic structure, also venturing seamlessly from dreamy introspection in the verses to a fuzz-filled, scathing hook: “How can you buy what they sell / when they just want to deceive?”
Another standout track, “Panic State” continues the gloomy yet melodic rock immersion. “This panic state is out of control,” solemn, haunting vocals let out alongside murky guitars, which develop into a twanging, soaring enthrallment past the two-minute turn. “A Different World” feels like a kindred spirit in its laments, its “the air you breathe is choking you now” contemplations of a world that “breaks your heart everyday now” furthering that world-in-disarray sense. Walls of heavier guitar tones excite in the drive to live “in a different world” and “different time.” Within dynamic, satisfying rock productions, Dystopian Days is full of quality songwriting that artfully captures a society in strife, economically and ecologically.
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“Panic State” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
The post Hey Look Listen – ‘Dystopian Days’ appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.
