(Cover art by Grover Hogan ) Following their smoldering June track "Taste," Minneapolis' premier funky, sexy trio Static Panic is back with single, "Spice Rack."  Ro Lorenzen's breathy opening vocals pull you close in a single motion before you can think, "Wait, this song isn't about cooking!" A bouncing synth bassline propels everything forward while Ro reads from her list of epicurean delights. The song indulges heavily in the band's electronic side to create a pulsing bop of breakbeats and additional percussion that keeps you from wanting to stand still. It continues to builds to climax before pulling back from the edge. Ro's playful vocals get turned up to eleven during the breakdown. "Did I hear you correctly when you said you want your baby back" is asked with a goosebump raising giggle. "Well, this roast is one roast you can't set and forget, alright?" is spoken with a knowing wink and nod before building...

It's been a while since we've heard from Static Panic . The funk pop trio released their stellar EP Glow  back in the fall. Now, our ears are finally being graced with new music in the form of "Taste." Anyone familiar with the band's discography is used to the groove-inducing sexiness they always bring to the table. "Taste" updates that sound with a lustful wink and healthy dose of distortion. Static Panic combines human pleasures with the synthetic. Keston Wright's guitar, grittier than ever, stays in a perpetual lockstep with the electric drumming of Eli Kapell. The pair's synthesis is undeniable, never straying far from the rigid beat. Meanwhile, Ro Lorenzen's vocals totally embody the sensuality of the lyrics. The way they sing the word "taste" is more than enough to make anyone sit up straight and get a little self-conscious. Desire is voiced with each ecstatic chorus or note of falsetto. "Taste" is a showcase of a ba...

Prince's fingerprints and the "Minneapolis Sound" that he created can easily be spotted within the Minnesota music scene. However, no one has fully embraced that late '70s and '80s funkiness more than  Static Panic . Calling the trio a tribute act would be a complete disservice since the band's 2018 debut EP Chrome  featured dance, electronic, and even dubstep influences. The release of that EP, plus magnetic performances and personalities, landed them spots on First Ave's 2018 Best New Band showcase and at the Basilica Block Party. Even with all that under their belt, Static Panic is back with anthemic new EP Glow . With this new release, the band has really worked to unify their sound and introduced organic elements back into their recorded sound. The band has grown and changed as Ro Lorenzen, Keston Wright, and Eli Kapell come into their own as Static Panic. Where  Chrome  was crystalline and synthetic,  Glow  is warmed up by jazzy guitar flourishe...