One of this week's most pleasant surprises is this EP from The Narcotix. Mommy Issues, out on Friday, blends West African folk with post-punk into something that's compelling, haunting, and wildly affecting in spots. What other release lately can you say seemed to owe debts to both Kate Bush and Massive Attack?
Esther Quansah (guitars, vocals) and Becky Foinchas (keys, vocals) met in nearby Woodbridge, Virginia, and at some point joined up with other musicians to make this EP. The Narcotix favor a sound that's modern folk, part art rock and part ambient. Tracks like "Lilith" and "Adam" reveal an affinity for natural vocals, and a smart use of electronic instrumentation in spots. With Biblical names anchoring all of these tracks, something like "Adonai" takes on religious import, while trippy "Esther" soothes as much as it stirs.
Mommy Issues works up a mood more than memorable melodies, but that's sort of the point. The Narcotix create a real vibe here, one which owes as much to stuff we'd call folk as it does to minimalist electronica. The austere beauty of these tracks is striking, and each selection feels like an invitation to a sonic world. Everything here is as distinctive as anything you're heard so far in 2021, and I can only hope to hear much, much more from Esther and Becky.
Mommy Issues is out on Friday.
More details on The Narcotix via the official website.
[Photo: Beto Espinosa]