STREAM: The Mars Volta - The Malkin Jewel
By this point, The Mars Volta has perfected bizarrely compelling post-punk compositions fueled by disquieting tempos and time signatures. “The Malkin Jewel” is the first track to emerge from the rock group’s upcoming sixth album, Noctourniquet, which comes out March 27. The song is compelling and strange (mirrored in this case by a visualizer on the band’s website, where they’ve debuted the song) – a winding, layered track that somehow makes noise and static and reverberated guitar sound melodic.
DOWNLOAD: Psychic Teens - Red
(Photo: Oren Camera Hechtman)
Philadelphia trio Psychic Teens combine post-punk instrumentals with low, echoing vocals – a combination that results in a band that may very well be a fan of Sisters of Mercy. “Red,” a track from the band’s 2011 album Teen, is a fuzzy, dark number propelled by prog-laced guitars. It feels like it should be mopey, but the dancing guitar lines invigorate the track in a way that keeps you from looking down at your shoes too much.
PREMIERE: Zechs Marquise – Mega Slap
Zechs Marquise is the lesser known sister act to prog-rock group The Mars Volta, composed of The Mars Volta’s keyboardist/percussionist Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez (here on drums), as well as guitarist Marcos Smith, bassist Marfred Rodriguez-Lopez, keyboardist/trumpet player Rikardo Rodriguez-Lopez and guitarist Matthew Wilkson. The El Paso quartet, who released its debut Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare in 2009, craft complexly layered prog tunes, often devoid of vocals. “Mega Slap,” the final track on the group’s upcoming sophomore effort, Getting Paid, is a sprawling math-rock number that has an almost-experimental jazz sensibility. Getting Paid drops September 27 via Rodriguez Lopez Productions/Sargent House.
