Organic, live, psychedelic indie-rock sets a strong groove, while gentle vocals and complex, captivating original lyrics paint stories impressively original and genuine. New York rockers The Grasping Straws hold authenticity in high regard, with the dreamy riffs, fresh melodies, thoughtful musings and brilliantly framed ideas of Shapes.
As an opening track for this album, Comforts is addictively alternative – a familiar and real-time rock set-up, a changing pace, a certain performative charm. But more than this, the song accesses a relatable concept, and does so in a completely new and long-form, compelling way. That kind of writing has been missed from the modern rock scene, and this album celebrates it.
From the funkier, jazzier tones of Fingers, through the subsequent breathy delicacy of Bystander, this quality resounds and rings out. The band intrigue for their sense of expression and thought, whilst offering organic, engaging musicianship, and a vocal and performative identity that’s thoroughly refreshing.
Live guitars and mildly warped effects and bends, twists of funky rhythm and bass, incomparable new tunes and boldly interesting stories and scenes. Shapes has it all, and marches to the beat of its own enchanting drum.
Consider Robots, a simple, snappy groove, mysterious references, and a lullaby-like chorus resolve. Then suddenly, the acoustic stillness and divine harmonies of Ruining – an immersive poem of sorts, melodically embracing the listener in yet another fascinating lyrical venture.
Indie rock distortion and more poetic imagery then uplifts for Dandelion, before Water It softens the mood, connecting with harmonies and intimacy again, and profound contemplations that beg for you to listen more than a few times.
Grandma Rhoda takes that a little further, a folk-rock song with a stomp and sense of both heartbreak and joy united. This is the kind of album for which we would have desperately searched through its accompanying lyric booklet, back in the days of CDs as master.
What a great band, a real pleasure to stumble upon. The Grasping Straws are a psychedelic art rock band from NYC, and will no doubt appear all the more alluring and memorable in the live setting. With well over a decade at the helm, their experience shines brightly, but never in favour of genuine artistic flair and undeniable passion. That balance of traits is essential for longevity as a band or artist, and here we can witness it in swathes.
Find The Grasping Straws on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bandcamp, X, and their Website.
