Violens – True

Low-fi Has Never Sounded Truer

If you haven’t heard of Violens, it’s no surprise. This three piece band from New York had been pulling shapes and shaking up the international music scene on the down low since 2007. Violens (pronunciation: vy-lenz) has the unique ability to put multiple genres of music together in a vice, squeeze hard, and come out with something beautiful. Their latest album, simply titled True, comes out on Slumberland Record May 15th.

“Totally True” opens this album with a rhythm guitar that instantly engraves its way deep into your mind accompanied by hauntingly catchy vocals. It’s short but sweet and perfectly paves the way for the following track, “Der Microarc”, a short, upbeat single with multiple layered harmonies which is fast enough to dance or head-bob to, yet chill enough to put on when you want to relax. This sentiment is characteristic of True, as most songs run under three minutes and are simultaneously up tempo and lo-fi. “Sariza Spring” begins with a funky bass riff and exemplifies the warm and refreshing feelings of springtime through cheerful guitar and vocals. The bridge, “Lavender Forces” uses synthesizers and guitar distortion to create a lucid nightmarish sound, if but for a minute, which complements Violen’s otherwise cheery songs. “All Night Low” contains powerful drumming one would expect to hear at a punk show, but when paired with the chanting and howling vocals of all three band members, the song takes on a very peaceful feel.

Taking the shoegaze algorithm and giving the (subtle) punk rock treatment, True is a toe tapping, smile inducing, low-fi good time. For the average music listener, it’s difficult to listen to True and be in a bad mood. This album, not unlike the band itself, is very likable. Don’t let this one slip under your radar, as it absolutely has a place somewhere within the confides of your music cache.