It’s common wisdom to make use of all the opportunities that come our way. Right now, a lot of artists and musicians are having a hard time making a living in this global pandemic. But there are also those who are thriving creatively, seeing all this free time as a blessing, and making use of it to work on their craft. One Night is the second EP from Chicago’s Montecore. This is a follow up to their self-titled debut album which was released just three weeks before, making this their second release within the month of May.
This latest offering takes on a slightly different direction from its predecessor, which had a much more electronic pallet. One Night carries a more post rock aesthetic. The pulsing drum and bass treads on a steady beat, while guitars drenched in shoegaze and synth embellishments glide around in an adventure, dictating the tension and emotion of each track.
“Ott Sauce” oozes with a sinister vibe. This track puts you in the middle of a thriller, where an unknown entity is out for your blood. The guitars howl and screech in a wall of discord that sends you spiraling deeper into a dark abyss. “Ambulance” hooks you with a catchy bass line that will leave you humming along. This is then accentuated by a hazy cloud of noise that goes on a voyage across the frequency spectrum, all guided by a tight drum groove.
In “Doug Saw Me Do That”, a wavy synth line blurs the line between percussion and bass and enhances the rhythm section. Adding a more sci-fi texture to the industrial and dystopian buzz. “Russian (Pray for Your Destruction)” revs up the overdrive, creating a harsh and militaristic soundscape. The noise here is oppressive, the kind of feeling that would just drive you off the wall. The closing “Strange Case” culminates in a swirling epic that ramps up every instrument. The guitar work on this piece is surreal, which goes on to something more akin to a 6 minute free jazz solo, exploring the whole fretboard and its range of effects.
“One Night” is a tug-of-war between the familiar and unfamiliar. It’s groovy drone beats will keep you glued to each track, and the guitar noise will stimulate your senses in ways that lyrical music couldn’t express. The textural range is impressive, you’ll be constantly introduced to new discoveries in its 5 tracks clocking in at 45 mins. If you’re a post-rock/instrumental indie fan, Montecore is something to look out for.