With so much happening in the world right now (in terms of pop culture, existential ennui, outsider art, and politics, at least), NYC post-punks BODEGA have a wealth of material upon which to draw for inspiration. I’m surprised they don’t put out at least an EP every three months.
Their newest one, Shiny New Model, is another one with a stinging name (the first being their debut full-length Endless Scroll), stinging jams, and stinging lyrics. The title track opens the record, and the first line is, “You will be replaced by a shiny new model.” They’re right, of course. All of us are fated to be replaced by someone or something else in our relationships (“Swipe!” is repeated throughout the chorus.), jobs, discography, and lives. Lead singer Ben Hozie sings an ode to an old ATM in the back of a bodega that, like everything else, is being replaced by the newest technology. It’s an allegory for all of us, of course, our reliance / addiction to modern technology, and our willingness to dehumanize our lives.
“Treasures of the Ancient World” has Hozie looking for lost love while Heather Elle‘s bass groove behind him is downright wicked. “There’s no vanguard revival, and I bet there never was,” Hozie sings on “No Vanguard Revival.” – a fast, brutal truth of a track. “Knife on the Platter” has some of Madison Vandam‘s best guitar work on the record, ranging from post-punk stabs to Andy Summers-like explorations.
“Domesticated Animal” is a funny, sharp takedown of mansplaining and sexism sung by Nikki Belfiglio. “Realism” is a quick tale of a woman at the end of a bad relationship.
The end of the album is two different versions of “Truth Is Not Punishment” – a cut from Endless Scroll that has become one of the band’s favorites for improvising while onstage. The song is about how many us want the truth yet refuse to accept it when it is delivered. The “long version” has Hozie singing Chuck Berry‘s “No Particular Place to Go” in the middle of it. One of the most impressive parts of the long version is how new drummer Tai Lee keeps her beats perfect and sounding the same for over ten minutes. The whole “sound the same thing” isn’t a slam on her at all. Listen to the beat she puts down and then try to play it yourself for over ten minutes without error. Your arms will feel like they’re going to fall off within three. The short version of the song is snappy and no less hard-hitting in its lesson and sound than the long one.
It’s another excellent record from BODEGA…until the next one comes along and replaces this with the shiniest, newest model.
Keep your mind open.
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