Don’t judge a book by its cover—the Rotten In The Brain EP sounds much lighter than you would expect based on the title and art. It is the debut release by Astoria, Oregon’s The Something Ain’t Rights, a new band emerging from the punk and garage rock underground, founded by Mike Vasquez (Sweatbox Studio). Yet the nine songs here never feel like a genre exercise, on the contrary. Rootsy twang plays a remarkably large role, but alongside the alt-country elements, you hear countless other influences, extending right up to wiry post-punk and soulful jazz. As if that weren’t fascinating enough, the eclectic and unpredictable mini-album captures a current world that is equal parts absurd, fractured, and strangely hopeful.

The Rotten In The Brain EP is out digitally and on 12″ vinyl through Hovercraft Records. Featuring Mike Vasquez (vocals, guitar), Dan McClure (guitar), Alpha Rasmussen (bass), and Carrie Beveridge (drums).

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