By Ben Boddez
Frontman Will Toledo’s ambitious concept album invokes Spanish long poetry, Mozart, and the Canterbury Tales to tell the story of a contentious college.
By no means did Preoccupations go back to basics on their latest album, Arrangements, but the decision to bring the reverb drenched guitar sounds back to the forefront of the mix was an excellent choice.
There is so much to divulge here on the lyrics—an unintentional nod to the thoughts of pandemic life and how the world is going to shit—but focusing solely on them wouldn’t do this album justice. Preoccupations feels most at home when they’re playing loud warbly punk, the kind of music that makes you want to run through a wall just to feel something.
By Ben Boddez
Frontman Will Toledo’s ambitious concept album invokes Spanish long poetry, Mozart, and the Canterbury Tales to tell the story of a contentious college.
By Matthew Teklemariam
On their sophomore LP, the NYC quartet trade indie sheen for no-wave chaos and ecstatic, queer catharsis.
By Emma Johnston-Wheeler
The alt-pop experimentalist delivered a mesmerizing, emotional performance complete with surprise guests and a triumphant sense of self.