New York-based act The Scrub Ups impress throughout Thought Bubbles, an album merging ska rhythms, punk edge, and Americana instrumentation amidst memorably eclectic vocal performances. The productions highlight banjo and pedal steel within a genre-defying sound, also infusing instruments like melodica, mandolin, baritone guitar, trombone, and beyond. The mixed-gender lineup swaps lead singers in bringing varied perspectives to each track, often navigating strong narratives and themes alongside the melodic productions. The album is dedicated to Mikal Reich, and spans themes like “survival, absurdity, friendship, grief, jokes that turn serious, and serious things that can only be approached sideways.”
Kicking off the album with brisk enjoyment, “Unlove You (Agent Jay Mix)” fuses a country-friendly twang within a rootsy punk allure. “I’d unlove you if I could,” a multi-voiced chorus proclaims, putting a fun reverse spin on a love song. A stellar guitar solo delights as the track’s final minute approaches, capping off a production that compels in melody and style. Next up, “Enemies (Agent Jay Mix)” is a harmonious, similarly twangy gem, thematically aspiring for unity rather than conflict, while “Barbicide-Chinex Apparel (Agent Jay Mix)” consumes in its vibrant brass additions and replay-inducing chorus, melding soaring harmonies and punchy backings.
A particularly affecting performance shows on “Bloodfall,” dynamic in its consistent narration (“…and the rain came down, and they kept dancing”) and tonal approach, shifting from quivering intrigue to passionate exultations. “I Get Mad” is another stunner, lyrically depicting a “cross to bear” and the daily grind within a striking array of twangy guitars and ska-tinged pulsations. “I get mad when I feel sad,” a vulnerable segment declares, gripping in its honesty. A jovial, barroom-set playfulness then arises on “See You All in Mexico,” its references to “68 bottles of beer” pairing with a shanty-like amiability. Thought Bubbles is a fun, stylish standout of an album from The Scrub Ups.
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“Unlove You (Agent Jay Mix)” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
