REVIEW – skymender – skymender EP

 D.C.-based quintet skymender recently returned with a new, 4-song self-titled EP on Steadfast Records -  recorded earlier this year with legendary producer J. Robbins (Jawbox, Government Issue) - available on CD and very limited edition blue cassette.     

Building off of their brilliant 2023 debut album, If and Only, skymender creates a swirl of sounds where the lilting dream-pop melodies created by the male/female vocals of guitarist Kenny Grose and Ashley Scurto soar above molasses-thick shoegaze textures.  Standout tracks include the opener, “u.s.s.r.”, with its nostalgia-inducing 90’s vibes and stop-start rhythm, and the aptly-titled, “billows” with its hazy, smoke-thick atmospherics, chugging rhythm and cloud-scraping vocal melodies.    

So far, skymender hasn’t missed; delivering the goods once again and once again blurring the lines between blissful melody and chaotic noise. 

For more info, https://steadfastrecords.net/blogs/artists/skymender

Stream skymender EP here: