The name alone of the band Whirr (previously known as Whirl) evokes a swarming spin, the rush of sound passing you by. Densely awash in distortion, Whirr’s recently released EP Distressor (available on bandcamp here) reinvigorates the Bay Area shoegaze scene.
Tracks such as “Leave" kick off with an energetic riff and shimmer into a mess of noise. Dreamlike vocals rest atop the crest of a powerful and thunderous rhythm section; melodies are not buried or forgotten, but instead guide through raucous waves of feedback. Since the layers of gutsy guitars are so well executed, the listener remembers tremulous emotion and forgoes numbness. Whirr’s music certainly possesses an expansive quality, one best experienced through their live shows. Check out their upcoming dates :
- July 22 @ Slim’s with Earth and Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets
- August 3 @ Uptown Nightclub in Oakland for KALX’s Weekly Showcase with Swig, Children of Time, and Hole in the Sky
Whirr also just signed with Tee Pee Records and will begin recording their next LP soon, so keep an eye out for it!
–Julianne Wagner