SURL - “Beside”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 8

Pairs Well With…Real Estate, Hyukoh, Manchester Orchestra

It’s interesting to see “K-pop” applied as a descriptor to SURL’s music, a sound far from the bright, glossy approach common among the genre’s hitmakers. Instead, SURL fit squarely in an indie rock category, crafting moving tunes built on bedrock guitar, bass, and drum elements. Their songs tend to be quite anthemic, bursting with big choruses and tension-building melodies. More softened than angular and dissonant, SURL’s music goes down easy, all musical pieces working in tight concert with one another. Even for listeners that don’t speak Korean, it’s easy to pick up on SURL’s emotional, melodic intentions, finding moments both pretty and powerful across their two EPs and surrounding singles. SURL joins an eclectic Korean showcase on Friday night at Elysium, a night that leans heavy on hip hop and a place while SURL’s dreamy rock presence can really stand out. (Kevin McStravick)