The debut single from Atlanta-based rock quartet Strumbrush, “Nightmare Zoo” captivates with shifting structural ingenuity and a jangly guitar-based charm, reminiscent of Deerhunter and The Wrens. The initial verses are bolstered by ghostly backing vocals, enjoyably complementing the dazed lead and guitar twangs. The track shows a dexterous ability thereafter to shift between quainter jangles and the “something we could do about it,” vocal vigor, which marks a hook that excels in its rhythmic-laden fluctuations and range of vocal emotion. “Nightmare Zoo” has me firmly anticipating whatever’s next from Sturmbrush, which began as the solo project of Foster Wells and is now a full rock group. Look for the project’s debut album this spring.
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This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2022’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Rock.
