Self Portrait

Self Portrait is the latest album from Loma Prieta; a ten-song masterwork recorded by Jack Shirley at The Atomic Garden Recording Studio (Deafheaven, Whirr, etc.). Opener "Love" layers unorthodox melodies amid a tangle of pensive, despondent vocals. These humanly complex qualities loudly bleed into every aspect of the album. Driven by feedback-drenched guitar work "Black Square", "Roadside Cross", "Net Gain", and "More Perfect" veer from one post-everything sub genre to the next, leading to the beautifully skewed "Nostalgia", a song that creeps from the haze with dark harmonic leanings. "Never Remember", "Merciless", and "Rings" venture down a similar crash and bang path before closer "Satellite" takes flight. An emotional epic that delves deep into introspection before finding total sonic obliteration.