EL PUTASIO - Lincka

[EP - Indie Pop]

Four years since her last music release, indie pop artist Lincka has returned with a refreshed sound and possibly a renewed spirit on her new EP. EL PUTASIO renders a sonic field as vibrant as Lincka’s color palettes, composed of several different Latin rhythmic and melodic styles all blended into a pointed yet playful pop sound.

While familiar sounds of modern pop remain foundational here — crispy kicks and snares, high vocal production and lush synths (three of the five songs were worked on by producer Logan Bruhn) — what uniquely shapes this project is the instrumentation and arrangement influences of those Latin styles: classically strummed guitars, natural and full percussion sounds, and the flare of the harmony and embellishment choices.

Lincka brings a fresh musical perspective to the Oklahoma pop scene, as well as much needed representation for the non-white people and communities that live and create here. Even within a fifteen minute runtime, EL PUTASIO finds Lincka exploring a wide but relevant array of topics including anger and injustice on the opener “Chinga La Migra”, substance use and identity on the following “Tú y Yo”, and more.

The swaying spectrum of contrasting feelings on display such as mild vulnerability to brazen confidence seems like an emotional balance struck only after much introspective effort; though that balance might be delicate, her statements and criticisms rarely are. For those who want to get to know Lincka, EL PUTASIO would be a good place to start.

Secret Pilates - Magic Munchbox

[Single - Progressive Rock]

You may have an unfavorable reaction to the term progressive rock, but there aren’t many other definitions that could hope to contain Magic Munchbox. Creating an atmosphere ranging from whimsically mischievous to manically chaotic (depending on your dosage), this genre-bending band is here to get weird, and have a little fun doing it. 

On their latest single “Secret Pilates”, rhythms from focused drums and slinky basslines push the pedal to the floor while heavily-effected guitars steer the listener into several shifting territories - bluesy musings, funky strumming, and chromatic arpeggiations, to name a few.

Quick, hard-hitting main sections evolve into frantic, syncopated breakdowns, which melt into mellow half-time passages ignited by fiery solo licks — all characterized by the psychedelic and quirky instrumental tones Magic Munchbox has built their sound on.

Trying to describe Magic Munchbox is like trying to hold water with two hands; so if you’re thirsty, just go straight to the source.

American Love Songs - Hunter Senft

[EP - Classic Rock]

As its title suggests, American Love Songs sees Oklahoma musician Hunter Senft (of Downward) emulating the optimistic and analog-focused rock sounds of the mid to late 20th century. Senft has gone to great lengths to not just imitate, but genuinely bring this style to life, by adding a modern influence to recognizable Western arrangement patterns, and keeping the instrumentation voicing conceptually consistent with the world he has transported us to.

You won’t hear wobbling synths or risers, nor trap snares or exaggerated distortion on this short but sweet four song EP; you will hear bright and jangly guitars strumming over lively, jumping basslines, warm piano punctuations, and tasteful string and woodwind instrument implementation.

From the almost transcendent air in the crescendo of harmonies in “You’re Mine”, to the smooth saxophone and saccharine string waltz on “I Want Your Love” — American Love Songs doesn’t dwell in nostalgia, but instead puts a youthful and personal spin on it. If you’re in the market for something new but familiar, take Hunter Senft’s American Love Songs on a test drive (listen in the car for true immersion).

The Gift - cursetheknife

[Single - Shoegaze]

Like the bowling ball and the feather which fall at the same speed, the latest single from elusive OKC band cursetheknife feels both equally dense and airy as it’s coming toward you. 

“The Gift” launches headfirst into a thick, slow riff from distorted guitars and bass that wouldn’t feel out of place in a nu metal song, setting the stage while ethereal vocals begin to swirl in the verse. Sparse but focused melodic elements burn brightly, engulfed by a somber cloud of background guitars and reverb pools closing in on all sides as the momentum builds.

Embracing the arguably inherently cerebral nature of the genre, all of these movements culminate to the refrain’s final lyric “nothing is ever real”, which is reinforced as the only line in the song to receive major emphasis from additional background vocals.

After hammering a final repetition of the main instrumental riff, the outro drifts off into a lo-fi drum beat and dialogue sample — providing just enough time to spiral further into our heads within its final moments.

Their first musical output since their well-received debut album Thank You For Being Here (2021) shows cursetheknife is still crafting expansive and thematic sonic environments, simultaneously laying a path out in front of the listener and extending an inviting hand.

HELLWALK - Sledge

[Album - Hardcore]

Amidst a burgeoning hardcore scene in Oklahoma, Sledge has stood out as one of the most aesthetically and sonically cohesive. Contributing is the fact they have not yet commercially released a song unrelated to a larger project. Their latest and longest album to date continues this dedication to concept - about which much could be gleaned from the promotional single release “CRUSHER SKULL FUCKER”.

Indeed, HELLWALK delivers on its namesake with an unrelenting encroachment of blistering rhythms, dissonant, distorted tones, and guttural vocal exclamations of flagrant lyric passages. From the cover art to the titles and individual songs, each expression forms the larger narrative — which seems to be a journey through, or sentence to, a destitute land of pain and misery.

The aforementioned opener “CRUSHER SKULL FUCKER” explodes out of the abyss with brisk pacing and volatile transitions, followed by the back to back punches of wounding riffs and squealing on “PIGPEN”, into droning zombie-like groans and distant cries over dark electronic drum loops on the following interlude aptly titled “THE SCENT OF BURNING HAIR”.

But perhaps the most stark insight into this album’s core essence rightly comes from its title track “HELLWALK”, during a scarce moment of alleviation in the bridge breakdown, when the vocalist lowly ponders “Is Hell so far away / Or does it walk with us every step we take?” 

The first true bit of musical levity arrives only in the final stretch, with the first and only use of melodic singing and metalcore arrangement appearing on the closing track “THE CIRRUS BLOOD ANGELS” — as if the possibility of a more auspicious existence had at last torn through the bleakness. Or maybe it is further clarity that has been achieved as the vocals cry out “Now Hell burns freezing cold / Hell is you and you alone.”

Interpretations aside, the album concludes in a (somewhat) gentler place than it began. HELLWALK is not a nihilistic exhibition, nor a gritty tale of triumph. If anything, it’s a message: Hell must be walked through, not around. Per Sledge’s declaration on the final words of the album’s title track: “I’ll walk this Hell with you.”

Roundup Rundown features standout singles, EP’s, or albums from the latest edition of Release Roundup - CLM’s monthly catalogue covering music in and around Oklahoma. Selections and writing by Roundup curator David Joachims.

Go here for the full list of releases from May 2023.