I’m going to begin by addressing some biases that I have coming into this review:
- As a Utah native, I’ll advocate for damn near anyone/anything coming out of the Beehive State (within reason, of course, because fuck Mike Lee),
- The sounds that this record reminded me of upon first listen have been some of my favorite tracks, records, and bands in recent times, and
- Anything that’s locally released that SOUNDS like it’s not locally released makes me unreasonably excited because Utah genuinely has a really diverse and talented music scene if you’re willing to look, participate and support it. And that’s what it’s all about y’all.
Now, with all of that said, let me tell you why Olympic Deth’s newest record Peace Album is not only one of my most anticipated local releases this year but one that I’m sure will stand among the best of what Utah offers this year, musically speaking.
Peace Album clocks in at 36 minutes across 16 tracks and doesn’t waste any time grabbing listeners attention. The album’s opener “Rehab For Weed” is a vaporwave-esc opener with layered synths, looping electronics and water sounds? It’s a super diverse instrumental that’s engaging for the active listening experience while also being something that could be on in the background. The album transitions expertly from track to track, again making either the active or passive listening experience both rewarding and pleasant as you move through the track list. Standout songs such as lead single “Oklahoma PEACE”. Full of moody, looping electronics and strong guitars from the best slacker-rock or post-punk records you could name, this track is just one of many personal highlights for me that’ve found their way onto playlists of mine. I’ll shout out “Diamond Dozen”, “Ada County” and the album’s closing track “Trout Mask Replica on Accident” as well.
If you took the best parts of Geordie Greep’s solo debut“The New Sound”, King Krule’s 2017 record “The OOZ” and added Geese and some Death Grips – Olympic Deth is the emulsifier that combines all of it together into something new that I encourage damn near anyone to give a listen.