Koalra combine elements of krautrock, noise, and indie to craft their latest stunning display of immense craftsmanship. ‘In a Weird Way’ is weirdly addictive with its toxic gas atmosphere, sickly reverbs, and stuttering drum part. A fantastic lesson in sound design.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Koalra are not strangers to sweeping the rug from beneath our feet by their innate songwriting talent. In their latest single, titled ‘In a Weird Way’, Koalra are channeling a modern, darker, and edgier version of Joy Division. Through the commandeering baritone of their frontman that wraps itself amongst the multiple layers of synth pads and instrumentals, making it an integral part of the song’s texture, oozing the humanity out of the sentences, becoming “music” in the process, the vocal delivery is distinctive and immediately ear-catching on this song.
The song’s 4-chord composition is intelligently laid down, sounding mostly static throughout and allowing the focus to shift to the simple, whimsical guitar riff, and the jittery drumming that is sloppy and choppy, but with such an intoxicating charisma that made me want all my favorite drum parts to be played in this manner. The winning factor on ‘In a Weird Way’ has to be its electrifying atmosphere and dazzlingly beautiful production. Haunting and mystical, yet electrical and poisonous, it is easy to see that the atmosphere crafted on ‘In a Weird Way’ is one of a kind.
A fantastic display of Koalra’s rising talent. A band with a distinct sound and feel, Koalra’s music is refreshingly cohesive and novel, making us fall for them more and more with each single they drop.
