Seven albums in, SAVAK are still evolving without shedding what makes them so good in the first place. Like its title suggests, SQUAWK! is assertive, restless, and full of voice—figuratively and literally. This is a band of veterans (Obits, Edsel, Holy Fuck, The Cops, etc.) who somehow still sound hungry, curious, and most of all: unpredictable.
The hooks hit hard, the lyrics bite, and the band continues to blur the lines between post-punk tension, indie rock tunefulness, and smart pop oddities. Opener The Moon Over Marine Park builds beautifully, while Child’s Pose and Talk To Some People show SAVAK’s knack for pairing clever arrangements with huge choruses. No Man’s Island is definitely a highlight—part Velvets, part therapy session, a rockin’ delight.
And just when you think you’ve figured the record out, SAVAK shake out electronic weirdness (American Vernacular), quirky pop (Hitting Therapy), and R.E.M.-esque jangle (Tomorrow and the Day After) that somehow still feels coherently like SAVAK songs. And, like all SAVAK records, SQUAWK! reveals more with every spin. It is a fine addition to their underrated discography.
Out now on Ernest Jenning Record Co. and Peculiar Works.