Market research is a fascinating field, uncovering the stories behind the numbers, helping businesses understand why consumers think, feel, and act the way they do. Turning raw information into meaningful insights shapes marketing strategies, product innovations, and brand decisions, sometimes it can even help solve real-world problems. In practice it is often less cheerful though, an issue that is wittily exposed by Christchurch’s post-punk trio Avon Dads in their new song Straightlining. It is about the tendency of survey respondents to select the same answer across a series of boring questions using the same response scale, just to get it over with quickly. Set to music, that sounds a lot more exciting than you might expect, which also applies to the virtual flipside about M.T.O. (Minor Traffic Offences). RIYL: Art Brut, Blush Club, Hot Shorts.

Straightlining b/w M.T.O. (Minor Traffic Offences) is out now digitally via Melted Ice Cream. Featuring James Chalmers (bass, vocals), Ben Dodd (guitar, vocals), and Hollan Brabet (drums, vocals).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp