There's a certain style of British post-punk in favor now where there's a mix of shouty vocals and choppy guitars, or abrasive rhythmic hooks. Some of these acts make it work, and some don't. But there's something cool about the fact that the bands are clearly being inspired by the really visionary artists of the late Seventies/early Eighties in the United Kingdom. A newer band is Girls in Synthesis, and while this London band veers slightly in the same direction, there are also flashes here on their new record of goth and industrial styles.
The Rest is Distraction, out now, kicks off with the clamor of "It's All Beginning to Change", a real success here, while "Watch with Mother" is darker still. Bass-heavy numbers like "Total Control" thrill, even as the faster tempo selections carry this close to greatness. "Your Prayers Have Changed" roars will real intent, even as "Swallowed Pill" has a certain feverish churn about it.
The music of Girls in Snythesis is familiar in spots, and an astute listener can hear where they're cribbing from. But there's so much energy put into the offerings on The Rest is Distraction that the band earns many points simply for investing their all in this. They're not going to rewrite the playbook of this kind of dark post-punk, but they're going to show us how to do it exactly right.
The Rest is Distraction is out now from Girls in Synthesis.
[Photo: Girls in Synthesis Bandcamp]