Sounds distinctly their own

In all of its abstractions, ringing chords, and meandering sensibilities, No Age’s sixth studio album, People Helping People, creates something that appreciates the journey of music-making. Rather than a natural progression, the album opens as if to say there is no need for standards, taking the instrumental track wherever it seems to lead. The track is not something that comes off as disorganized, but rather the contrary. In experimenting with their sound, No Age creates a sound so rich with production that it is appreciated for the rest of the album.

In the looping, stamping drums of “Compact Flashes,” sounds seem to punctuate in a loop. Like a camera flash, basslines loop behind No Age’s signature punk vocals, creating a track with dense layers beyond traditional instrumentals. Rather than engaging in stripped-back aesthetics, No Age puts lush, swelling work at the fore, cementing that this is their work and that they are committed to challenging a straightforward sound. Even the closing has some surprising drum work that helps to contrast with the rest of the song. It sounds like a jam session that happened to take off from the original song, wandering beyond with a sense of curiosity. The production comes off as surprisingly effortless for how dense it truly is.

“Interdependence” utilizes crescendos to help to bridge the album beyond its sung tracks. The instrumental tracks such as this come off as welcome tangents to the album, rather than attempts to bloat the runtime. Even in these tracks, there is an appreciation for sound and cohesion. While the album definitely does not shy away from the experimental sound, it never denies the band its signature sound.

Blown-out, far-away sounding drums in “Flutter Freer” contrasts with the other tracks of the album. There even is a groove to it, with an electric sound pulling from the vocals. Like a song playing from outside a bar, the song has a clear sense of production to make it distinct. The use of keyboards in the chorus truly brings that lush production that defines this album to the fore. Even if it is not the longest track, it provides so much in its short runtime.

That is not to say there aren’t other idiosyncrasies that run through the album. Tracks such as “Rush to the Pond” have classic rock-inspired elements. Even if this track is more subdued than others, the percussion is heavy in a way that still demands attention beyond its lower volumes. The runs have that traditional sound without making it seem derivative. Instead, the band maintains that distinct blown-out sound without making it seem repetitive.

“Tripped Out Before Scott” probably is the most traditional punk song on the album, even if that might be still distinctly in line with the experimental sound permeating throughout. The vocals take a backseat to its reverberated guitar solos, creating a blossoming chorus. Inevitably, the track loses some of the momentum that might be present in the earlier tracks, but still has an undeniable groove that integrates surprisingly well with the bassline.

Closing the album, “Andy Helping Andy” slams the listener with the true prowess of the band. More of a cinematic adventure than a traditional rock song, the ringing strings contrast with the lapsing, undeniably electric elements. Rather than trying to demand the importance of experimental rock, the track comes off as humble. Even in its avant-garde elements, the track possesses undeniable beauty. Looking toward the future, No Age leaves its listeners with an appreciation for what music could be, delving into sounds all distinctly their own.