Agita by Imelda Marcos

A lot of the noise rock that I listen to often explores sounds shrouded in shade and darkness, but the new EP Agita by Chicago act Imelda Marcos is awash in blinding brightness. The trio’s newest music since last year’s enigmatic Albularyo, this release is faster, sharper around the edges, white-hot riffs all jagged and buzzing with nonstop energy. The first track “desert concentrics” is centered around labyrinthine melodies, angular rhythms circling like vultures overhead as frantic notes distort and fry to a crisp under the blistering sun. The following track “convulsive ESP” reminds me of when I got heatstroke in Mexico, fuzzy guitar tones all playing over each other, until the wooziness reaches a breaking point and gives way to delirium. The most chaotic song on this release, “diamond.pin.vertigo” is djenty and disorienting, intricate percussion and choppy guitar loops set to off-kilter time signatures that threaten to collapse under their own complexity. The final track “(noise of city)” starts quietly, building up layers of drum patterns and chugging riffs until all the details blur and fade together. Immensely underrated in the noise rock scene, we only hope that this release brings Imelda Marcos more much-deserved attention for their unique sound and undeniable talent. -Kalen