Anything we can do to share the good word on great music is a given ’round these parts… even when it means revisiting previously released material. But when it gets the re-mixed and re-mastered treatment (In this case, by Cade Earick), the debut from slo-anne reissued in the now is practically like hearing it for the first time all over again.
Billed as “baby’s first record” on the Bandcamp link (Check it out for yourself at the bottom of this post… or, actually, go press “play” on it now while you read!), squints plays out more like something from an artist with an abundance of releases under their collective belts and less a debut outing. Nuanced, determined, and deliberate with so much heart and soul poured into it, the debut from the CT to MA duo even manages to pack a mean wallop over the course of squints‘ 8 songs which all form a foundation of what would come on last year’s whiplash release.
“Juicebox” is a glorious opener soaked in a glossy ’90’s Alternative coating that brings to mind airs of both The Breeders and Pixies (Read: Kim Deal) while “Yellow Balloon” is large and in charge with a big, badass, and bombastic opening blast before Cecily’s serene vocals come in for the beginning verses. “Cog” is Pop perfection but still riotous with a cacophony of percussive sound surrounding the melodic core with “My Friends” sliding in next with Cecily’s guitars bringing the full frontal fuzzed out Rawk.
“Arizona Snow” showcases the beginnings of slo-anne’s penchant for steadfast storytelling in song format (As do all of what’s on squints, if we’re being honest) and then “Shivering” really mixes things up, straying form the Garage Rawk tag for a sweet little number that nicely segues into “Couch Potato” which has some nifty rhythmic patterns out of Andy’s drums and a little bit of that “boot-scootin” magic mentioned in slo-anne’s Bandcamp bio thanks to some twang in Cecily’s licks. Topping it all off is the straight shooter “Send it Back” that, quite simply, eschews the aural accoutrements and sticks with the musical meat and potatoes throughout this formidable finale.
squints re-arrives on April 24th through all your most favorite DSP’s, some of which can be found by clicking here or here or on the stream below. For more from slo-anne, including upcoming live shows like the one happening at Midway Cafe in JP on April 26th (With Victor Jones, Statue, and Salem June) or the one at Gully’s in Beverly on May 2nd or the one at Deep Cuts in Medford on May 20th (Supporting Bimbo with Thought Partner), hit their socials when you head here, here, or here.