The Chicago quartet’s Sub-Pop debut is a continuation of their early 80’s throwback style as Deeper delivers Careful!
From the opening notes of “Build A Bridge” the group dives into their Manchester-in-1981 inspired sound with their post-punk flair. From the snake-like guitars to the danceable indie rock rhythms to the brooding vocals Deeper (Nic Gohl, Shiraz Bhatti, Drew McBride, and Kevin Fairbairn) wear their influences proudly on their sleeves.
The indie rock, retro dance party is in full swing as “Glare” uses a racing drum beat and bass to push forward around new wave sounds while “Tele” goes dark, strutting out onto the dance floor with goth like brooding and layers of synths setting the tone. The upbeat, grooving indie rock of “Dualbass” clears those dark skies as does the electro-neon buzzing of “Bite” which deploys bright guitar work and joyous basslines in dynamite fashion, resulting in an album highlight.
The lead single “Sub” is more of a mixed effort with thin slapping percussion, strong bass, and goth-influenced vocals. Closer “Pressure” also mixes and matches as clanging guitars are floated around a rising melody with loads of repetition, closing the album with feedback crackling.
“Airplane Air” is minimalist and crunchy, but too monotonous without musical dynamism while the instrumental “devil-loc” builds off that same style/sound more successfully with an art-rock sonic collage and pulsing synths.
There are a few of the sonic experiments scattered throughout Careful!, most are just brief placeholders that go nowhere (“Heat Lamp” and “Pilsen 4th”) but “Fame” shines through as unique and successful. The track starts with a clapping lesson before layering on different rhythms and driving vocal style from Gohl. Another interesting effort that breaks out of the new wave/gothy mold is “Everynight” which builds on repetitive layers of sound with shoegaze tension, a scratchy guitar solo and a gratifying climax.
For those yearning for new post-punk efforts that revel in early 80’s neon, synths, and brooding, Deeper’s Careful! is a must-hear.
