On Mars, Upper Wilds dramatically expand their musical scope with modern noise-pop epics about our colonization of the red planet. Loud and visceral guitar lines are anchored by addictive melodies while driving bass and drums support soaring vocal harmonies and alien sounds. The Brooklyn trio of Dan Friel (Parts & Labor), Zach Lehroff (Ex Models) and Jeff Ottenbacher build on the sonic palette of their debut Guitar Module 2017, adding new colors and textures. Using space and science fiction as tools to explore contemporary issues, Mars exploits a tension between the infinite potential of the cosmos and the gritty details of exploring it. The songs throughout are as intelligent as they are exuberant, bristling with energy and passion.

Recorded by Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans, Boredoms), Mars is propelled by Lehroff’s monstrous bass tone, and for the first time on record, live drums from Ottenbacher. Together, the pair form a formidable rhythm section for Friel to riff over. But where synths formed an essential part of Guitar Module 2017, here Friel eschews keys in favor of his vocals processed through an array of guitar pedals, creating a world of cosmic sounds - from the frantic Morse code bleeps tapped out at the start of opener “Dead Mall”, to the soaring howl that circles above the noise in “Mars.” Additional vocals from Katie Eastburn (Young People, KATIEE) add a much more human element, her harmonies providing a rich textural contrast on “Hellcoder,” ”Ex-Frontiers” and first single “Perfect Eyesight.” The title track’s huge choruses are bumped up by current Guided by Voices bassist Mark Shue, pop punk activist Jeff Rosenstock, previous Upper Wilds drummer Aaron Siegel and future touring bassist Jason Binnick, a cast of friends and collaborators who add to song’s resounding peaks.

Touring as a trio following the release of Guitar Module 2017 has particu.......
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