Pleasure
You’d never guess the guys in Austin’s Pure X are skaters; the trio turns out quiet, hazy mood rock that is psychedelic and pastoral, and picturing them shredding in a concrete ditch just doesn’t come easily. The music is so loose and flowing that Pleasure was recorded live, without overdubs, in the studio. There’s a decidedly stoner influence to this music, especially in the guitar work, which sets them apart from other lo-fi, reverb-drenched outfits of the moment. Guitarist/vocalist Nate Grace might have been exposed to Galaxy 500 or Spaceman 3 in the womb; his drones, shrouded in distortion and neon, circle and hover, tethered to Austin Youngblood’s simple, solid drumming and Jesse Jenkins’ languid bass. A few songs, like “Easy” and “Dry Ice,” are fueled with more potent energy, with melodies that evoke the Jesus and Mary Chain. Grace’s fondness for effects and feedback suit the music just fine, those washes of texture and color complementing his voice when it reaches for a vulnerable falsetto or a sweet, wraith-like wail. “Heavy Air” is a spellbinding opener, with Grace’s guitar spooling out single, slow burning notes forever, as if he’s reluctant to let them go.
The name of this Austin trio has changed, but their delayed-gratification summer vibes have only become more refined and elemental on this welcome debut LP.
Set the controls for the heart of the mope: <strong>Michael Hann</strong> hears Pure X indulge in some shoegazing