The Growlers are an American indie band who perform music in a self-professed “Beach Goth” style that integrates elements of surf, psychedelic, and garage rock with a heavy New Wave influence. Natural Affair is their 7th album, and demonstrates their clear nostalgia for acts such as The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys, reviving that 80s-via-2ks aesthetic for the 2020s. “Natural Affair” is jangling guitars, too-cool-for-school crooning, and nicely defined bass. “Long Hot Night” emphasizes the surf licks and sharp snares, soaring keyboards and a charmingly Casablancas-esque delivery on the chorus. “Pulp of Youth” is a more low-key number with instrumentation that calls to mind early Madonna, “Try Hard Fool” begins as a moody organ-driven ballad but builds to a wall of cathartic and buzzy cacophony. This album is pressed on black vinyl, and comes with a bonus postcard.

• black vinyl pressing
  
• includes printed inner sleeve
• music label: Beach Goth Records 2020

reviewed by BROOKLYN BOWL 03/2020