track review

When I first listened to “Raven Raven”, it sounded, to me, like Thurston Moore was DJing at some cryptic nightclub in a cemetery, and I couldn’t wrap my head around what I was listening to. Though after a second listen, I finally started to understand and develop a liking towards this death-dance mix of psychedelia and groove. The guitar work is quite pleasing to the ears, though I wouldn’t call it melodic as it’s a more doomish, post-punk, almost electronic sound. Annika Henderson’s echoing, drone-like vocals contribute to this ominous vibe of krautrock and doom-filled post-punk. Yet the song has this danceable feeling to it while inhibiting a gothic 80’s undertone. The deep, hard hitting bass and drums add to the punchy and ominous nature of this track from Exploded View. “Raven Raven” is unique in its mixture of lucid groove and gothy instrumentation, and Sacred Bones has come through with another great band making this haunted, eccentric yet above all enjoyable track. 8.5/10

©Sacred Bones Records / 2018