This is one band I’m excited to see live when possible; their sound is kinetic, chaotic, melancholic…and amazing! Check out up-and-coming band: Frigs!

For Blurt Magazine:
Label: Arts & Crafts
Release Date: February 23, 2018

Toronto post-punk quartet Frigs—formerly Dirty Frigs—created a charged debut LP that is unapologetically jagged and intensely electrifying. Only on a first name basis through press releases, following their 2016 EP #Slush#, Frigs—Bria (vocals and guitar), Duncan (guitar), Kris (drums), and Lucas (bass)—return and hit hard on Basic Behaviour. The loud quartet combines noise rock with punk as Bria’s gritty vocals range from growls and shouts to sultry calm. Her vocal styling amps up the already raw music of gnarling guitar, bass, and Kris’ primal drums.

Inspiration of post-punk bands of the past is indeed felt; but, Frigs are simultaneously creating a sound all their own thanks to Bria’s unique melodies and the riotous music. Anxiety, depression, feeling of hopelessness are all themes within the lyrics on Basic Behaviour. Singles “Talking Pictures” and “II” are indeed standout tracks that easily catch your ears for their jangly guitar and haunting melodies. Holding back from no difficult issues, Bria takes on rape and assault with “Chest”: angered by the Brock Turner case that made US headlines, the case inspired her lyrics such as: “yeah, they watch me/stay asleep as you spoil me.”

“Solid State,” a tongue-in-cheek title for a song that touches on mental instability, is another mentionable track. The rolling guitars, plus interjections of guitar wails, and with Bria’s soft vocals-for the first time- hide beneath the wall of sound. “Gemini” is unique as the only track that does not scream of ferocity; the quiet song includes only Bria and a soft keyboard.

All of Basic Behaviour illustrates Frigs’ artistic, Avant-punk abilities, but the third song, “Waste,” is a fun epicenter of their possibilities. The 5-minute track undergoes 4 tempo changes as it starts out with a slow, growling bass, flat guitar plucks, a simple slap on the snare, and Bria’s dragging, slurring vocals. Then after 2.5 minutes, it transitions to a slightly faster tempo as Bria repeats “do you want to talk about it, it’s a waste;” the song picks up and moves even faster with the same lyrics. One last shift occurs as the music ends, and Bria screams into the mic and closes the track with “I am a fortune-teller, baby,” before fading into a rambling.

A raw and solid debut, Basic Behaviour translates anguish into an intense yet catchy album. 

DOWNLOAD: “Talking Pictures,” “II,” “Waste”

I think Frigs needs an official video for “Talking Pictures,” just sayin…listen to this blistering track!