Math-rock. One of my favorite music genres. Filled with crazy time signature changes, nonsensical song structures, and in general just weird shit. Every time I tell someone not familiar about math-rock, they always follow-up with a witty joke about "music about math? Heh heh". Uh no. Also, you're not funny. But regardless math-rock is a mysterious and underground genre of music. So I'm going to attempt to explain the general gist of what math-rock is. Disclaimer: This is just my take on what math-rock is to me. Other math-rock-heads may have different opinions. (Listen to the songs below while you continue reading)
Hella's "Biblical Violence" is one of my go to's when showing someone math-rock when they ask what it sounds like. This track shows many of the features of what math-rock is and what it can be. Full of ridiculous spastic riffs, yet some melodic ideas and of course that classic twangy guitar tone that so many math-rock bands have. Tera Melos is another prime example of math-rock. More spastic non-sensical guitar riffs and alternating rhythms. There's more of an ambience and post-rock feel though with Tera Melos in comparison to Hella and many other bands. The unconventional song structures are another element of many math-rock acts. Over the years, bands have adopted elements of math-rock and blended it with other sounds and genres. Usually math-rock has its roots in punk or hardcore but some examples of bands that have more mainstream roots with math influences are bands such as Minus the Bear and Everything Everything.
Minus the Bear has some mathy influences with tappy guitar riffs and some atypical rhythms flying around. Yet, they blend some of the mathy elements into their indie rock sound. Everything Everything does a similar thing but instead in a pop/electronic setting. This bleed of mathy elements into other genres and sounds is becoming much more popular recently. One very recent popular math-rock group is CHON: CHON's upbeat groovy sound is incredible popular amongst many different types of music fans. Metalheads, emo-heads, instrumental-heads, math-rock-heads, etc. seem to all agree that CHON is pretty freakin' sweet. Their technical and precise playing blended with the vibe of chilling in the California sun is becoming increasingly popular and accessible.
In general, the themes of what makes a piece of music math-rock or mathy comes down to: atypical song structures, odd time signatures and alternating rhythms, and technical playing abilities. Now while this post has been very concise and given a few examples, I hope you have a better understanding of what math-rock is and the main elements and sounds associated with the genre. For anyone interested in reading more about math-rock and the history of math-rock, Fecking Bahamas has many great articles on the subjects.
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UK math-rock powerhouse Delta Sleep just released a new version of their song "Strongthany" off of their incredible 2015 LP Twin Galaxies (which if you haven't checked out, please go listen here). This version shows off an acoustic version of this beautiful song featuring the band on electric and acoustic guitars, synth bass, and a cajon playing in the middle of a street in Tokyo, Japan. Delta Sleep recently did a Japan tour in late 2016. Japan is regarded as a pinnacle
Kansas City's Via Luna announced their new record, Wilt, just a couple days ago with this very trippy and spacey promo video. Via Luna shows off their unique post-rock twinkly vibe followed by a cut to some heavier riffage. Keep Via Luna on your radar if you're into bands like Explosions in the Sky, This Will Destroy You, toe, or Russian Circles. Check out their two previous EP's as well on their Bandcamp or Spotify.
Listen while you read:
Japanese math-rockers Tricot have announced their 3rd full length album, 3, along with a new single, "DeDeDe". Filled with noodly clean guitar riffs and unique grooves underneath the powerful and passionate vocals from Ikumi Nakajima make Tricot one of the more interesting and compelling math-rock groups to come out of Japan.
3 comes out on 5/19 via Topshelf Records. Keep it on your radar if you enjoy female fronted noodly tunes. If you preorder now, Topshelf will give half the sale revenue to The Trevor Project, The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Planned Parenthood. Thanks Topshelf for being dope. FFO: Battles, toe, Faraquet
(Click the play button above before reading)
Math-rockers and Rick and Morty enthusiasts, BiRDPERSON, are back with their second EP, The Michael Jordan of Baseball. This 4-track EP takes you on a very pleasant journey filled with sparkly guitar melodies dripping with effects, tasty bass licks that make you want to pick up playing bass, and calculated and precise drumming. BiRDPERSON has upped the production value on this EP from their first, but also matured their own unique sound. "Squid Pro Roe(d)" opens the EP with a very upbeat and hopeful vibe. The following tracks show the band's softer and more downtempo side, then ending on the fast, punk-esque "Cave Kids of the World". Aaron Cooler's vocals are reminiscent of Mark Hoppus singing personal lyrics with catchy hooks on songs like on the title track "The Michael Jordan of Baseball". If you like what you hear, go support the band by downloading this free EP on Bandcamp and shooting them a like on Facebook. FFO: PUP, JANK, Delta Sleep, The Hotelier (just off the top of my head) Recently, Sumerian Records posted this video teasing a new CHON album for this year. If you haven't listened to these math-rock jazzy virtuosos, do yourself a favor and give a listen to their debut album, Grow.
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