Mope Grooves released their third LP, The Waves, this past week. Listening to The Waves, you can’t help but feel as if you’re listening to the sort of Christmas music that would get made in a post-apocalyptic underground bunker. Which is to say, the music is disjointed and eerie, but still oddly cheerful. The album’s blend of new wave, lo-fi, and drone rock results in some delightfully gloomy, subtly jazzy tunes. “Repulsive Music”, one of the more upbeat songs, is the best example of this. The steady pace of the drums helps lead along the mellow notes emanating from the synth. Each word sung feels as if it is being teased out of the lead vocals. It’s ideal for the slow and rainy days we have coming up ahead.
The Waves can be purchased for 10 dollars on the band’s Bandcamp, and 7 dollars if you are low-income, disabled, or not a cis white male. You can catch Mope Grooves next on November 6th at Polaris Hall, along with The Goon Sax and Honey Bucket.
-By Avril Carrillo