If we were to describe Compltr, we’d be in trouble. Not because we couldn’t find the right words, but because there would be too many of them. You see, the Bay Area post-punk outfit is able to jump over a wide variety of moods and subgenres, all while keeping a strong poignant outlook. Channelling shoegaze, punk, electronic soundscapes: everything plays its part in the group’s kaleidoscopic and attractive artistic output.
‘You Won’t Get A Gold Medal’ is the perfect example of everything said above. The Ep is Compltr’s latest effort, a 6-track relatable and heartfelt record with a knack for distortion and anthemic vocals. Our favourites must be the opener ‘There We’ll Be’ and middle piece ‘Just Desire’, both emotional gems at different intensities. Listening carefully, one can catch influences from The National, TV on the Radio and Death Cub For Cutie.
Behind the EP lies a story of resilience and effort, as lead singer Wright and bandmates Megna and Romero managed to write and record the record despite living a seven-hour drive away from each other and having to juggle full-time jobs and parenting. They also had the invaluable help of Peter Wallner, who joined them on their final sessions and will be joining them live, as well as Scott Goodrich who tracked the vocals and mixed the record, and Sean Sakamoto and Alberto De Icaza who mastered the songs.
Describing the inspiration behind the record, Wright explains: “It captures a tidal wave of change that happened in my world over the past few years – I’ve blown it up quite royally since 2020. Having the strength to lose has become a very large part of adulthood. Valuing identity and authenticity above all. Defining what those two things mean to me became my obsession and I left a bit of that journey on the page with this record.”
Recommended! Discover ‘You Won’t Get A Gold Medal’ EP on Spotify:
