Shush - "School Nurse" | Premiere

(Cover art by the band)

Kitchen Knife Blood Pact have been on quite a hot streak. After releasing six EPs in the spring, the label brainchild of Alien Book Club settled into a steady schedule. The rip-roaring debut from Sockhop Massacre followed in June; now, we're finally hearing from Shush.

The Minneapolis quartet has existed for nearly a year, providing occasional updates on new music but otherwise staying mostly quiet. At the end of July, word of a debut album and a forthcoming single finally hit the internet — "Staring Contests" would be released one week later. With familiar elements, Shush creates an incredibly potent form of indie rock. They effortlessly crescendo from chiming verses to ragged choruses, showing a careful consideration of the song's structure. "Staring Contests" is an unpretentious and beautiful gem; it establishes a framework for how Shush approaches their songwriting.

Second single "School Nurse," which we're stoked to premiere today, is a perfect follow-up. The burnt-out 90s aesthetic is worn even more proudly, from the frayed guitar leads (and solo that comes toward the end) and off-kilter shuffle to the frenzied cries of "send me to the school nurse / I wanna go home." Shush stays in lockstep with each other across tempo changes. The frenzied rush of the chorus hits twice as hard following the song's slacking intro.

With each new single, Shush continues to build deserved excitement for their forthcoming album. The record will be out August 20th via Kitchen Knife Blood Pact. Stream "School Nurse" below, exclusively available on Ear Coffee.

Ear Coffee · Shush - "School Nurse"