The 12XU label has been specializing in putting out rock that's bludgeoning and aggressive. I dig that. Lots of what this imprint's been serving up feels like we're back in the late Eighties. And sometimes there's no harm in that. The latest, this Friday's Plaza from Australia's Voice Imitator, is another such record, and it's delightful in its force.
"Algorithmically Mandated" and "Chinese Hoax" positively roar, shades of early Sub Pop acts here, along with hints of The Jesus Lizard, while other numbers here reveal a trace of variety. "Sweltering in Leather" revs up around the sort of beat that made me think of peak Killing Joke, for some reason, while "Deregulation Dreaming" goes further afield, in search of an unhealthy throb like Merzbow on low. At their best, like on the propulsive and surging "Adult Performer", the players of Voice Imitator make this retro-minded post-punk work spectacularly well
Plaza is out on 12XU on Friday.
More details on Voice Imitator via the band's Facebook page.