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ODDLY’s debut LP ‘Swerve’ delivers 90s slacker rock nostalgia with a Japanese Gen Z twist – listen

ODDLY’s debut LP ‘Swerve’ delivers 90s slacker rock nostalgia with a Japanese Gen Z twist – listen

Estimated: 1 min  reading

Japanese indie rockers ODDLY channel Gen-Z angst through 90s slacker rock and Britpop on their debut LP Swerve, out now via Damnably. The album, available digitally and on limited edition vinyl, follows their 2021 EP Odd Man Out.

 
 
 
 
 
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Drawing inspiration from Pavement, Sonic Youth, and Seam, Swerve blends downbeat hooks with alternating vocal lines. The re-recorded Ruh Ruh rumbles with alienation, while 'Alligator', featured on Adult Swim’s Japan Is Loud, seethes with frustration. Tracks like 'Nautilus' explode into a shred fest, 'Lozenges' leans into slacker cool, and 'Easy Mark' throbs with paranoia. 'Artificial' spits out disgust, while 'Ride' indulges in reckless hedonism.

Formerly the shoegaze outfit Browned Butter, the Kyoto-based band embraces an eclectic sound. Nao favors Fazerdaze, Kei enjoys Wolf Alice, and Tomoyuki’s past project, Betty and the Slacks, nodded to Japanese rock legends Sheena and the Rokkets.

Swerve captures the disillusionment of modern youth, crafting a raw yet melodic debut.