Review Summary: Hardcore's finest collective release another excellent 7".
Self Defense Family is easily the hardest-working band in hardcore (if that tag still describes them). This year alone, they've released a split with
Creative Adult and a special split with
Touché Amoré in which both bands recorded on each song, as well as recorded the entirety of their as-of-yet-unnamed LP (due out in June). Now we can add this promotional single to the pile. SDF's sound has matured since their inception as End of a Year, but the uninitiated should expect tuneless old man vocals from frontman Patrick Kindlon, droning, repetitive compositions, a revolving door of instrumentalists, and the smartest possible amalgam of every genre with a "post-" tacked onto the front.
Talia is our first peek at the Family's upcoming LP. Musically, it is absolutely all-encompassing and massive. Kindlon's gruff vocals are subdued by the overwhelming slams of drums and guitar swells, complete with dramatic pitch bends. It's impressive, really, how vastly different this is from everything else Self Defense Family has put out so far (besides maybe their contribution to the split with Creative Adult), but it still manages to sound distinctly exactly like the Family.
Taxying is closer to the Family's previous work, with driving basslines and post-punk-influenced drumming. This B-side is exclusive to the vinyl release of this single. Taxying cycles through multiple sections, gathering steam for a massive buildup and explosive outro. It's standard fare for Kindlon and co. but still definitely worth hearing.
If you aren't excited for SDF's next album after this, you're probably a dumb hick.
