Slif Slaf Slof by Mermaid Chunky

Puncturing the dark homogeneity of trendy post punk with an individual flair and local influences, Slif Slaf Slof by Mermaid Chunky mixes traditional Scottish and Irish instrumentation and dance sequences with that moody sound we all know and love. Using any means available, including gloomy drum machines, misty synths, and live recorders, Mermaid Chunky crafts their ideal environment for dancing, whether or not that environment resembles anything we’ve seen before. Half-spoken vocals in a low monotone definitively draw the record into the post punk space, simultaneously giving this sonically varied record the glue necessary to crystalize a musical identity. After a few tracks of constant curveballs, we familiarize ourselves with this curious environment, internalizing its logic and moving along with its beats as we eventually find ourselves unable to resist its incessant command to dance. As more bands splinter away from that instantly recognizable post punk sound, examples like this of innovation within the broader genre inspire confidence that this trend will continue in the most interesting possible way.