Gremlens – 95
Gremlens are perhaps the most polarising and inconsistent band in the underground scene. Their discography ranges from really bad, to surprisingly good. Their album 95, released October 25, 2021, is easily their magnum opus. Being one of the last albums of theirs I was yet to review, it made up for all the lesser-quality releases.
Brother Can You Spare a Gremlen opens the album in a maniacal fashion; its mix of samples are unique and refreshing. Following the opener is Shoop Two, an obnoxious remix of Salt-N-Pepa’s Shoop, though only at first. The track quickly degrades into a demented carnival outro blighted by feverishly loud walls of electric guitars. Satan Youth is a Lydia Lunch-inspired punk-rock suite that’s unsure of what it wants to be. Despite being so jarring, it works nicely as an intermission. Ugh works brilliantly as an instrumental bridge. Its composition is unique, if only it were developed further. The same cannot be said for the similarly styled Gremlens, though, a very dull filler instrumental. Thankfully, the closer somewhat gets it right.
What makes 95 standout from similarly designed Gremlen albums is its confidence to not overly rely on samples. While they are still present in large quantities, they are utilised more in transitions than compositions (unlike Gremlens’ horrible Kanye West mixes), such as on Dog / Live on All Fours. Furthermore, humour is well implemented and not abused/over-relied on. Even when samples are used more prominently, such as during Oww / Come on Honey, they take the back seat next to the impeccable and monstrous walls of noise. Queen of the Status is just as good, with its cluttered, distorted soundscape amidst the smooth, rnb samples.
Throw enough shit at the wall and it’ll stick. Gremlens has made an insane amount of music in such a short period of time; the artist ought to be more selective from now on. 95 demonstrates he is worthy of your attention, though; here’s hoping he can replicate this magic on future releases.
Really Good
Listen to it here:
Gremlens – 95
