Jazzhound is the latest album from LA’s The Buttertones, and there’s no other 2020 release that has captured the mood of this year. It’s dark atmosphere fits the feeling of rambling uncertainty, anxiety and isolation that most of us may have experienced to some degree lately. Although this was recorded a few months prior to the global pandemic, it nevertheless paints an apt representation of our current woes with its jazz-infused post-punk soundscape that explores mental issues and loneliness. 

This discomfort is perfectly captured in “Denial You Win Again”. Singer Richard Araiza’s smooth baritone confronts feelings of pain and regret, while trying to unravel what’s wrong with himself: “I’m not the one / I thought I was / I’m sick and distracted / With my pounding disavowal.” Accompanied by a swaying rhythm and buttery melodies, this is a great companion for anyone wanting to slow-dance away their feelings. 

“Fade Away Gently” uses surf-rock to illustrate the longing for something that has long since gone. Every belt and croon from Araiza is taken from deep within his soul, filled with emotion in every breath. Then the saxophone comes in and adds a layer of melancholy to the mix. If you’re missing someone right now, or perhaps longing for a certain period in your life, this should be your jam.

While half of the songs are smoky noir ballads, the rest are blistering punk romps that embrace chaos while still maintaining clarity of sound. “Bebop” is brimming with energy, a track that somehow fuses Spanish flamenco with punk and big band jazz. Creating a larger than life track where everyone goes all out from start to end. “Blind Passenger” mixes the restlessness of punk with an anxious and dreary atmosphere. The raucous arrangement depicts someone slowly falling into insanity: “When I look into the mirror / My head’s drowning in thought / And things don’t look clearer / I’m tired of feeling distraught.”

The band pulls off a twist with its title track. “Jazzhound” is fiery and harsh while its preceding tracks are cold and smooth. It feels like we’ve finally descended into jazzy hell after hopping through several smoky nightclubs. There’s a lo-fi filter in its vocals and an abrasive tonal pallet. Perhaps the butter is in the skillet now, and it’s been heading there all along. I applaud this choice for the band, it could have been a jarring transition if not for the fact that I’ve already been sold from the beginning.

Jazzhound is propulsive and exquisite, it’s the kind of record that you can immerse yourself repeatedly and still have a new experience every time. There’s a lot of misleading advertisements these days, but you won’t find any with The Buttertones.