“You’re the love of my life and I hate you.”
If you’re wondering why Bushwick’s The Denzels sound so surfpop-y and West Coast garage-y, it’s because they’re originally formed in California. Their relocation to Brooklyn was a smart move for the indie rockers, who quickly got involved with the local DIY scene and self-released their debut EP, Slow Death, in 2011. Their sound has been Real Estate-esque from the start, serving up straightforward, upbeat pop melodies that you can’t help but tap your feet to.
Less than a year after their debut, the band signed to Brooklyn label Admirable Traits and released their sophomore EP, Easy Tiger. The five songs retained the effortless catchiness that the band had a clear aptitude for but fleshed out their sound and songwriting with tunes like “Rae Rae” and “Cure,” which captured a certain, sweet poignancy within their unabashed pop. The band’s last release, “222,” took a turn for a harder, unwieldy sound, with the guitar shredding instead of plucking along and lead singer Tommy Hinga donning a strident, angry tone—none of Easy Tiger’s “ooh”s or “aah”s in sight.
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Now, The Denzels are returning to form with their 7” single, “Blow,” set for release tomorrow, Dec. 3. The single sees the band reengaging with the surfy pop they do so well, but this time it’s a little more languid and confident. The two songs on the record take their time, both of them clocking in at over four minutes whereas the majority of the group’s previous work stays safely in the two to three minute mark. The second track, “Self Talk,” is a rose-tinted ditty that, much like all of The Denzels’ tracks, hides its somber lyrics. “We are not designed to find someone we like, we compromise,” sings Hinga.
With two EPs and two singles under their belt, The Denzels have honed their craft well. We’re patiently waiting for The Denzels to release a full-length album, but until then, you can listen to their new tracks here:
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