“Their Prime” by Jo Passed
There’s something intrinsically unique in how music can morph emotions and contort ideas as easily as hands bending a wire coat hanger. It leaves remnants of its own past; it throws its listener into oceans of sound waves with little regard. It is this electric drive, two fingertips meeting inexplicably charged, that unfolds full force in Jo Passed’s newest album, Their Prime.
The album is jarring and beautiful: frantic melodies, dreamy riffs and chaotic transitions. Their Prime feels like the ‘70s Beatles and early ‘90s Kurt Cobain crawled from the grave and merged, walking the earth anew in a skewed, off-kilter form. Yet reminiscent of a psychedelic past, Jo Passed has somehow formed their own fresh sound: taking unpredictable turns from soft to hard, and low-key underwater melodies to fast-paced grunge. The album kicks off with “Left,” showcasing soft tones equipped with orchestral strings. Other tracks, such as “MDM” and “Millenial Trash Blues” burst out in Sonic Youth-esque post-punk anthems.
The band, lead by Jo Hirabyashi of Vancouver, Canada, draws not only on influence of revolutionary music, it throws modern culture under the bus by mocking self-obsession and human tendency to want more and more garbage. Their Prime is a refreshing hit that allows for both self-reflection and dancing away the world’s crazy.
