Defecting Grey - Circuits

 

It is a reflection of how quickly time flies that we haven't covered Defecting Grey since our review of Run Silent (here) five years ago. In the meantime, we've missed 2022's ARC album, certainly not deliberately and arrive at the now.

With six songs present, I would go for this being a mini album rather than an EP and what a six songs these are. You might call the band a Power Trio, but that locked in sound is never affected by over playing. The New Jersey threesome build songs on melody and riffs first and foremost.

Although it feels as though the band's template is conveyed by the opener, Gibraltar, ie beautifully played, noisier yet melodic 90s Indie Rock, even that song has Psych Pop riffs. Indeed, the only song you could label as my description completely is the up and at 'em Backwards Ghost.

Blind Country is top notch Power Pop, given completely away by the hypnotic drumbeat. Low Status Sound gets all Cotton Mather like Psych Pop and Flat Earth Theory flirts with 70s Pop Rock and comes out with a new relationship.

Circuits finds a band at the peak of its powers, very different to what I hear generally from New Jersey. There is a maturity, a preciseness in what they do. They know they can play, but prefer to rely on the massive riffs and memorable choruses. This a a cracking listen.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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