Brooklyn’s Sooner lets each of its influences shine on their own in its 2018 EP Stranger, and, with that name, a My Bloody Valentine reference shouldn’t catch any shoegazer fan by suprise. The band does an excellent job of flashing some serious shoegazing in between their jangly pop tunes. Snappy drum beats and easy-going vocal melodies make way for furious guitar drones and elaborate basslines drenched in dfuzz. Songs like “Humid Air” and “Notes from Underground” (streaming) gradually build up, slowly revving up each instrument for a grand climax. The ease with which the band switches up their intensity keeps the listener engaged, while sonic layers are added and removed as the song progresses. The group has kept busy since releasing their EP by playing a string of shows throughout Brooklyn, a string which will continue on June 13th with a gig at Brooklyn Bazaar. – Rene Cobar
