Hailing from Moorpark, California fuzzy ‘alt-pop wonders’ Sustains have spread out over the years two albums, three EP’s and a single mostly on very limited cassettes, self-released or through few independent labels.
Probably a five-piece, but the few pictures they have date back around 2013-15, incredibly already liked by my late Chris Tressler, the band blend impeccably shoegaze, noise-rock, power pop, and dream pop influences into a 90s tinged melodic sound dreamy and melancholic, but at the same time sharp and abrasive.
After a full-length and an EP in the past year, Sustains are back with a new two-track single entitled “S IS FOR SUSTAINS” via San Diego‘s the gloriously DIY label COLA FREAK RECORDS.
Both the buzzing and more rhythmic instrumental “Land Of Earth” and our pick “Coronary” mark the introduction of an intense use of synthetizers.
“Coronary” unfurls umming and bright synth flow that drifts along, underlined by syncopated drumbeats and terse handclaps, with circular pulses of deep melodic resounding basslines and subdued washes of dense and fuzzy guitars to create an indecipherably hazy feel drowned in harmony, grace and sadness, as dreamy, wistful vocals arouse uplifting feelings scattered with fear and anxiety, heightened by an obscure coda of restrained instrumental distortions.
Energetic, noisy and guitar driven or ultimately atmospheric, contemplative and synth-infused, Sustains always got a distinctive knack for writing strikingly infectious pop songs.
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