Fake Fruit - “No Mutuals”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Cherry Glazerr, Courtney Barnett, Palehound

San Francisco band Fake Fruit mix melancholy bedroom rock with post-punk and grunge weight on their self-titled debut, an angry record within which still lives a ton of charm. By paring back at times, the bursts of sound that climax much of their punchy tracks really resonate, intently hard but still hazy and comfortable. It’s rarely straight garage rock, rather Fake Fruit take influence in math rock and jangly punk when it comes to melody. They’re messing with rhythm in parts of their songs too, finding space to explore with a compact, post-rock mindset. It’s an interesting listen that blends rock genre and a strong debut of sound, moood, and songwriting. (Kevin McStravick)