LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW

LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW

A welcome voice in the modern, streetwear-clad punk rock renaissance. During the first half of LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW, Australia’s Ecca Vandal proves why she’s a welcome voice in the modern, streetwear-clad punk rock renaissance. “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE” soars with determined positivity. “VERTICAL WORLDS” is a sidewalk-shredding ripper. But two minutes into “MOLLY,” track 7 of the album’s 17 songs, there’s the first real indication of the unexpected approaches she’s bringing to the sound. After barking and shrieking her way through the verses and choruses, she hits the song’s bridge and totally shifts her voice so it’s reminiscent of Santigold’s fly playground chants, giving it an entirely new dimension and depth. From there, LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW gets bolder and bolder. Vandal drops a melodic rap flow over high-velocity percussion on “OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY.” “LEVITATE PART 1 + 2” counters her gruff vocals with an ethereal R&B breeze. Penultimate cut “GHOSTS” is a confident blast-back to colonialist monuments and mentalities over an transforming, future-facing beat. Vandal recorded most of LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW with bassist and co-producer Richie “Kid Not” Buxton in his internet-less childhood bedroom in Melbourne. On it they have realized a world of their own, one they’ve expanded even further with a series of captivating music videos they co-directed.