[The Revue] THE MATINEE ’20 AUGUST 26

RIYL: Concrete Blonde, Chelsea Wolfe (acoustic), Emma Ruth Rundle

Be warned before you press play on the latest from Los Angeles-based rock outfit IRESS: “Nest” is melodic quicksand that will hold you fast and refuse to let go. On the first spin you will find yourself enchanted by their reverb-laden brand of post-rock. The effect is immediate: within seconds you are powerless to resist, quickly succumbing to their intoxicating allure. With that warning in mind, proceed and prepare to be wowed.

So what makes “Nest” a standout from other tracks that hover in that sweet spot of rock genre overlap? The secret lies in some kind of musical magic that we have not heard in some time. IRESS pair haunting vocals that evoke early ’90s legends Concrete Blonde and rising star Emma Ruth Rundle with expertly crafted layers of lush instrumentation. Frontwoman Michelle Malley’s delivery of each note is unhurried, allowing the listener to savor every passing moment. This atmospheric reverie begs you to listen with closed eyes. In return, IRESS reward you with a blissful fever dream you won’t want to wake up from.

The band’s new album, Flaw, arrives September 18th. Pre-order it on Bandcamp and get this song plus two others (“Shamed” and “Underneath”) immediately.

IRESS are: Michelle Malley (vocals, guitar), Alex Moreno (lead guitar), Michael Maldonado (bass), and Glenn Chu (drums).