Cat Casual & The Holy Midnight: s/t

With dark, experimental and winding noise punk that veers from collected, jazz-influenced grooves to massive waves of ambient fuzz, Cat Casual & The Holy Midnight’s self-titled full-length is an ominous and compelling roller coaster ride in a Nick Cave sort of way. Dramatic in the way it builds and falls, ambitious in scope and never predictable, this record filters frustration through art rock. “Wicked World” is a grainy, piercing take on proto-punk. “Mock American” has a demented, swirling swing that wouldn’t be out of place in the most shadowy corners of “Twin Peaks.” And “Come Back” is a rhythmic, catchy, quick and simple song about love. There’s a lot to unpack on this record.