Deathbomb arc

DBA133 True Neutral Crew – ‘#POPPUNK’
True Neutral Crew is Daveed Diggs of clipping. (Sub Pop), Brian Kinsman formerly of Foot Village (Northern Spy, Not Not Fun, Fat Cat), Margot Padilla of I.E. (Deathbomb Arc), and Signor Benedick The Moor. Their 2nd mixtape was released digitally over the weekend. As with their first mixtape, ‘#MONSANTO’, the group continues to combine their interests in both rap and postpunk/noise rock for results they half-jokingly call “krautrap”. This particular iteration is far more ecstatic than their first outing though. The title ‘#POPPUNK’ refers to the ghost possessing this collection of songs. Hiding beneath swathes of noise and big beat production are bright, joyous melodies and driving live drums. Quick and acrobatic rap verses are bookended with catchy pop hooks. At once both intricate and complex while still being simple and silly. While the krautrap aspirations from their debut mixtape remain, the spirit of hyperactive LA artpunk groups like Oingo Boingo and Sparks is likely behind the haunting. Why the unusual set of inspirations though? Is it mere instinct? Is it all a riddle? Is it nonsense? Perhaps the best advice for deciding comes from the lyrics of the opening track, “It’s modern art. When you see it, see it for what it is.” ‘#POPPUNK’ welcomes a bunch of guests including Glasgow rapper diss1, industrial noise group Robedoor, Venezuelan balladeer Algodón Egipcio, beatpunk godfather Boo Hiss, pianist/composer Lauren Bousfield (ex-Nero’s Day At Disneyland), and noise-soul pioneer S.R. Cano (tik///tik).

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