Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Standing” by Strange Wilds from the 2015 single on Sub Pop.
Strange Wilds - Standing (MP3)
Formed in 2012, Olympia’s Strange Winds are a cyclone of refreshing rawness. After releasing their debut 7” Wet on Inimical Records, the band have been drafted in by Sub Pop, winning the label over with their unique brand of compressed intensity. Short but savagely sweet, the 3-track "Standing" single is complete with earth shattering heaviness, technical ability and beautiful passages of melody to offset the chaos.
As a song, “Standing” borders on physical aggression. The vocals are dirty, smashing the ears with a brutalizing crunch and the rhythm section hits the right levels of bombast and swing. The bass is magnificently muddy and the seemingly improved guitar solo takes the track to exciting new levels of gnarliness - with more than just a reminiscent hint of the song “Love Buzz” from past labelmates Nirvana. Through these malleable arrangements, Strange Wilds are able to strike a perfect balance between the grimy minimalist grunge and post-hardcore metal that hark back to the golden age of Sub Pop.
Hopefully, this is just a taste of what is to come in 2015 for the band. Until then, keep up with the lads on their Facebook page, and below, watch the band's video for their track "Slime":
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Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning …
