Squinny

In just three songs, The Vacation establishes Squinny as a fully formed force of neo-psychedelic wizardry. Coming on the heels of a pair of singles released over the past couple of years, this three-song EP is a major leap forward in terms of craft, musicianship, and quality of recording. With the recent release of another stellar single (the seductively dreamy earworm “All My Life”), the future looks exceedingly exciting for this Minneapolis quartet.

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This is bold and adventurous music, rarely resting on traditional structures and willing to explore outside the confines of traditional rock music. It’s heavy but not aggressive – more King Crimson than Black Sabbath, though both are clearly influences. The ability to balance volume and groove is a rare gift, and Squinny earns a perfect score in that column. Part of this is due to the organic style of the guitars – most of these blistering riffs sound like they were played without a pick, rendering their melodies downy and inviting without sacrificing intensity. More important is the synergy between instruments, all of which are played with precision and creativity, but always in perfect alignment. Squinny use restraint like veteran musicians, knowing when to pull back as individuals so their sum is more than their tallied parts. 

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Each of these tracks pull the listener along on a journey more significant than a song. Opener “Between Dimensions” shifts its slithery riff between tempos to create not only tension and release but a sense of otherworldliness. Instrumental “Picnic” pushes the tempo and the sonic template, incorporating pedal steel, strings, and arpeggiators into an ever-evolving opus reminiscent of the best of millennial indie pioneers Menomena or Macha (this one). “Animated Matter” combines the strengths of the first two into a rhythmic fever dream of fuzz and melody. Not only does this track feature one of the coolest drum parts I’ve heard in recent years, it manages to blend such technical proficiency into the song’s mood and narrative arc. Squinny’s songs are stories and quests, they’re deviations from the norm and glimpses of new perspectives. Apt title, “The Vacation.”

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I’d be remiss not to mention what a huge factor the production and mix plays in this achievement. The songs are strong enough to compel in a live or lo-fi setting, but every sound here is intentional and perfectly balanced. For most bands who set out to create something unique and meaningful and just plain good, “The Vacation” would be a crowning achievement. For Squinny it’s just the beginning.

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