Kaz Mirblouk - “Careless by Contrast”
Kaz Mirblouk’s new record, Careless By Contrast, has a little bit of everything, so if you’re a fan of the many subgenres that fall under the large umbrella of indie/alternative rock, then you’ll definitely find something to enjoy. Mirblouk impressively extends his sonic wingspan quite wide, but he doesn’t lose sight of putting together a cohesive finished project. Everything seems to gel, despite the fact that he gets pretty adventurous. The final two singles from the album, “Dozer” and “Title Sequence,” have a decidedly psychedelic dream pop bent, as at times, both lean heavily on reverb-soaked guitars to create a thick and hazy ambiance. Look elsewhere, though, and you’ll find tracks with much more of a direct post-punk snarl and less of the hazy stupor of the aforementioned singles. Songs like “Fracture” and “Quartered” are frantic and angular in a way that recalls Steve Albini or Andy Gil’s guitar playing on Solid Gold. Dive even further into the record and you’ll find the minimalist rhythmic inspirations and droning sound collages of Krautrock, particularly on “Tragic” and “Absent.” Mirblouk even works in a couple of downtempo tracks that feel more intimate and subdued, like “Bound” and “Light Habits.” It’s a chameleonic, genre-blurring record. And if you’re wondering - yes, I checked, and chameleonic is a word. It’s the perfect adjective to describe Careless By Contrast.
Written over the course of 2017 and 2018, the songs on Careless By Contrast cycle through different coming of age themes like transition, change, discovering your true self, and personal growth that Mirblouk experienced after graduating college. These lyrical themes can be applied to Mirblouk’s musical development, too, as when compared to his 2016 album, Imitate, Intimidate, this collection of songs exists in a whole other universe. Give it a listen if you’re up for a sonic adventure!
Stream the album below!
Careless by Contrast is available on limited edition Golden Daze vinyl via Mock Records. You can purchase a copy via Bandcamp. Stream it on Spotify or Apple Music. Keep up with Mirclouk by following him on Instagram and liking him on Facebook. Stay tuned, as Mirblouk is next week’s guest on the Look At My Records! podcast.
