One moment you’re adding a record to this month’s Loose Ends feature (arriving on the first day of each month). The next, you realize it’s getting its own review instead. That’s what happened with Perfectly, an eight-song cassette from New York’s Dog Date that refused to stay in the background.

This thing makes every second count. The excitement kicks in almost immediately and barely lets up until the tape runs out. Even opener Piglet, with its slow, quiet build, feels gloriously impatient. It keeps tightening the spring until it finally launches itself into oblivion.

Just like the album cover suggests, Dog Date’s garage punk is vibrant, colorful, and completely unconcerned with perfection. The songs sound loose without ever falling apart, driven by sharp riffs and wiry guitar licks, the occasional synth flourish, and drums that leave dents all over the recordings. Chrome and Punk Song alone are worth the price of admission.

Which makes it all the more remarkable that Dog Date, essentially the one-person project of Dylan Kennedy, announced its demise a little over a year ago. If Perfectly really is the latest farewell of Dog Date, it’s one hell of a way to go out. If it’s a comeback in disguise, even better.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp