Noir Party - S/T EP

The songs on Noir Party’s self-titled debut are the kind of slightly distorted pop-oriented indie rock that’d fit in well on the Teen Beat Records roster of the early 90s, right alongside bands like Unrest and Tuscadero. Their raw mellow sound blends the lively twee melodies of Velocity Girl with the crisp two-guitar sound of American Football for a series of uber-catchy guitar pop gems that are both playful and intelligent. 

The EP kicks off with “Seventeen,” a song with some twee melodies and vocals that sound as bright and youthful as the lyrical subject matter. The bouncy guitars bop right along on “Kyoto,” where the vocals eventually collapse into a sea of riffs, before slowing down on the EP’s lead single, “Los Feliz.” Right around here is where the quintet’s affinity for midwest emo emerges, as both “Los Feliz” and “I Miss You” feature some magical twin-guitar interplay and the dueling and earnest vocals of lead singer Michelle Ann Glauber and Alex Whelan - in addition to some chilling sing-speak vocals that emerge halfway through “I Miss You.” The ringing guitars and reappears with some really lush and careful harmonies on the EP closer, “Sign Is Air.” I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention how enjoyable the “Floor is lava!” refrain is on “Los Feliz.” They’re basically daring you not to sing along to that! 

You can purchase the EP via Bandcamp.  All proceeds from sales will be donated to Brooklyn mutual aid groups via MutualAid.nyc