Stream: The Drums, ‘Body Chemistry’

Zane Roessell on January 18th, 2019

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Dare we say it? The Drums are back, with new album “Brutalism” touching down April 5 via Anti- Records. Leading with the frenetic single “Body Chemistry,” Jonny Pierce wants you to know that even the heartiest salvo of green juice and self-care can’t save you from creeping existentialist dread. The tentpole track is backed by Pierce’s experience in the year prior to its writing. “I had been dealing with an increased feeling of depression,” he says. “To counter that, I was doing all I could do to try and make myself feel good: implementing all sorts of self-care, going to therapy, eating well, exercising at the gym, taking a step back from partying, and focusing on positive relationships while weeding out the not-so-good ones.” In spite of his earnest introspection in “Body Chemistry,” Pierce leaves the listener with far more questions than answers.

In the time since the “Abysmal Thoughts” epoch, the Drums have proven that they can deliver the goods in decidedly non-abysmal fashion — this even in light of co-founder Jacob Graham’s split from the band in 2016. It seems that with Graham’s departure we are afforded full access to the artistry of Pierce. The guitars are still there, but in “Body Chemistry” we’ve gained a driving rhythm section of breakbeat and defiantly popping bass line, coupled with effusive synth hits that scratch that Yazoo “Situation” itch. In essence, the self-produced “Body Chemistry” gives a nod and a wink to the bright-eyed production of their self-titled debut album, then with a playful slap on the ass it leaves it all in the rearview mirror of a speeding PT Cruiser.

||| Stream: “Body Chemistry”