Through a combination of ice cold post-punk angles and the aggressive momentum of 80s post-hardcore, Vancouver‘s Aversions weave a momentous and often caustic sound. Consisting of Rory Munro (guitar, vocals), Chad Devlin (bass, vocals), Joe Ross (drums) and lead Sam Coll, the outfit utilise this style to explore the absurdities of contemporary living. 2020 debut Base Portrait channelled equal parts La Dispute and Protomartyr in search of a suitably enraged and sardonic manner. The record set its crosshairs on everything from existential dread, the city’s hostile progression and the pseudo-wisdom of men like Jordan Peterson (as on the appropriately titled ‘Cistern Chapel’), emerging with little hope but a whole lot of cathartic release.
This month sees Aversions return with brand new single ‘Sharp Left Turns’, the lead track of an upcoming EP of the same name. Regardless of what the title suggests, the song ploughs straight on the band’s uncompromising course, pitching the listener into a tide of pummelling drums and streaky guitars. Coll’s vocals veer from sarcastic sing-speak to vitriolic yelling from within this cacophony, a discontented preacher unhinged by the sorry shape of the world around him. A world gifted to the individual by faceless corporations and backed by the good ol’ dollar. By the second verse the delivery is more a bitter croon, heart-broken and self-critical, resigned to the fact no sharp left turn is going to arrive to save us.
There are no witnesses
In front of businesses
Just flower arrangements
For dinner engagements
With no reservations
And sharp left turns
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 track=2730928247 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small]
The song comes complete with a video directed by Derek Janzen, which you can check out below:
‘Sharp Left Turns’ is out now and it’s available from the Aversions Bandcamp page.
