Jockstrap - Wicked City Review

ENDURING PREPOSTEROUS PLAYLIST HELL

Turns out that quiet violinist whipping up a storm centerstage at those illustrious Black Country, New Road performances is an Art Pop savant. What a whirlwind discovery that was. Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye form Jockstrap, a band whose myriad of influences reflect our modern era of music consumption; one defined by excess, access, and volatility. Wicked City is a fantastic representation of such principles, merging disparate genres with unabashed abolition. Projects like this aren't rare nowadays: They practically define Bandcamp's underground, as budding entrepreneurs attempt to arouse intrigue through sheer impermanence. But here, there's grace and substance and sexy confidence, seen right from the get-go on 'Robert,' as Ellery's twisted vocalizations warp in and out of abnormal bass thumps and skittish synthesizers. The rest of the track, finding ground in Deconstructed Club, Glitch Hop, Noise, even Experimental Hip-Hop courtesy of an unexpected Injury Reserve feature, fans out like a spider constructing its web.

By and large, Wicked City accomplishes the same thing. Following up 'Robert' is the lovely 'Acid,' where Ellery's fidgety strings soar around teetering Doo-Wop influence and kaleidoscopic Neo-Psychedelia by track's end. 'Yellow In Green' smolders anxieties with waterfall pianos and Singer/Songwriter rumination, before 'The City' integrates every previous element for a disorienting excursion around needle synths, soft vocals, and a masterful Spoken Word screed plucked from the inanity of Alice In Wonderland. Here, Skye's presumed Electronic wirings shine through magniloquence and dedication. This then bleeds in 'City Hell,' the EP's exclamation mark. More unpredictable structuring eventually gives way to a marvelous coda, replete with Soft Rock pianos, shredding Hard Rock guitars, and pushy Indietronica tumidity. An excellent sendoff to a truly captivating EP from start to finish. These are 20 minutes you won't regret.