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Local Music Round-Up | Miyha, Saad, Shrimp Olympics


Miyha - "Sommers / Summer"

Heavy Meadow Records has been on a hot streak lately. Smelkin Ernesto with Cambios, Sass' recently announced Chew Toy, and now Miyha. The Madison, WI quartet operate on the more light-hearted side of indie with their new song "Sommers/Summer." The track is the first taste of their forthcoming debut, World's Biggest Crush.

"Sommers/Summer" kicks off with a rigid pounding, leading listeners to expect a heavier tune. Miyha fakes us out by instead settling into a shambling indie rock groove. What ensues is a pointed kiss-off. The song is full of tired disdain and the delightful feeling of knowing that you're right. Each line brings a new reason to ignore the song's entitled, avoidant subject. The lyrics convert complicated emotions into short, effective mantras and lingering, relatable questions. Subverting expectations is the name of the game. The quartet's instrumental work does well in its job of supporting the story being told. Alejandra Perez and Mike Pellino's guitars fuse together, even as the song wavers and trembles. Erik Fredine works tastefully with his understated drumming. You have to listen carefully for Kyle Kohl's bass, though he shines through during the chugging intro and outro.

World's Biggest Crush is out on April 26th via Heavy Meadow Records. Listen to "Sommers/Summer" below.




Saad - "Passing By"

"Passing By" was released in September last year, and it certainly passed us by. I'm so sorry. The latest single from Saad is a folk rock jam. Acoustic guitar takes center stage on this off-kilter slice of happy-sad songwriting. Plucks and strums ricochet around in the listener's brain. They manage to keep with the strong pop sensibilities present in each verse, bridge, and chorus. "Passing By" is undeniably catchy. Bandleader Liz Saad has an unmistakable ear for tune and structure, and they bring their A-game. They display their multi-instrumental talents, playing the guitars and synths, in addition to singing. Zack HS, who produced/mixed the track, contributed bass and drums. Everything builds to a joyous breakdown of skittering drums, xylophone, and group vocals. I couldn't stop smiling.

Listen to Saad's "Passing By" below.



shrimp olympics - i love money (2019)

I haven't found anyone in Minneapolis that makes music that sounds like shrimp olympics. The psychedelic, lo-fi aesthetics of Austin Lombardo always manage to surprise and delight. The loose 70's affiliation has stayed consistent since his last album, 2018's hot meal. Anachronistic keyboards abound on every track. It's extremely funky. I can imagine this album playing in a mildly seedy night club in 1972 - smoke is everywhere, all the patrons are drunk, the bartender laughs to himself as he turns up the volume, there's probably one really drunk guy dancing alone in the middle of the floor. i love money goes big on mood and small on consistency. Each song is a roulette of weird, acidic music. You are never prepared for what comes next. I'm pretty sure one of the interlude tracks is just a recording of a washing machine or something. It works? The first idea is the best idea in Lombardo's view. If you're in the mood for the musical equivalent of being on Wheel of Fortune while tripping on acid, look no further than i love money

i love money (2019) is shrimp olympics' third album. It's out now via Subaquatic Records. Listen below.

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