punk this week: white fence, shaved ape, urq + 18 more
A massive week featuring Optic Sink’s experimental film scores, the returns of Subtle Turnhips and Lightning Bolt, a loaded Billiam comp, and new Poo Poo Talks.
Hey, it’s Punk This Week, see/saw’s column that blasts punk + rock'n'roll recommendations directly to your email inbox each weekend. This one’s loaded. We’ve got the return of psychedelic greats (White Fence, Urq), hardcore standard setters (Shaved Ape, Democracy), some standout DIY punk tapes (Cronies, G.R.O.M.I.T.), new records from reliable faves (Optic Sink, Billiam), and so much more.
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White Fence: Orange [Drag City]
White Fence’s last two albums, For the Recently Found Innocent (2014) and I Have to Feed Larry’s Hawk (2019) never knocked me out quite like Hippo Lite, Cyclops Reap, Is Growing Faith, Hair, or Live in San Francisco. That’s OK, though—those are absurdly high, discography-defining standards. Please believe me when I tell you that while Orange won’t rewire anybody’s brain with its inventiveness, this record is an absolute knockout.
This music is gentle and gorgeously produced (shout out Ty Segall). The sorts of aesthetic flourishes that you’ve come to expect from Tim Presley records are here, but vibes take a backseat to pared back and gorgeous songwriting. “So Beautiful” is an up-and-down classic of garage pop songwriting, and every track feels like a potential standout. This record, which never stops crackling with vulnerability and grace, is the best White Fence record in a long while. If you’re new, this is the stripped down entry point to a much stranger rabbit hole. If you’re an old hand who’s stopped checking in, it’s time to return.
