For those of you who have been taken in by the experimental punk of Athens duo Kwazymoto, you’ll likely find much to like in Saint Syzygy. The project is the solo endeavor of Kwazymoto guitarist and vocalist Ian Hemerlein who channels his group’s warped riffs and manic energy into something more expansive but equally thrilling. From acoustic confessionals and art-pop experiments to blistering prog-punk scorchers, the project has generally served as a means for Hemerlein to explore different sonic avenues and work on his engineering skills. Saint Syzygy’s upcoming full length, however, will find him adopting a more collaborative approach with bassist Jake Cooper and drummer Alex Nicholson contributing to the songwriting process.

As the album’s lead single, “Frown in Every Frame” sets an aggressive tone with off-kilter guitar grooves that skirt the line between punchy grunge riffs and gritty noise-rock tension. It’s something of a roller-coaster affair in the sense that it moves in a series of sprints and waves, but the stop-start dynamics of the track’s latter half keep things from careening entirely out of control. Even Hemerlein’s vocals—a caustic mix of sneering sing-song, menacing whispers, and raw screaming—feel decidedly on-edge. It’s a lot to take in, which makes sense given the gravity and complexity of the song’s subject matter.

According to Hemerlein, “Frown in Every Frame” is a part of a grander narrative about mental health on the trio’s new album, which will be titled All of My Friends Are Sick. “This song is about looking back on an artist’s work and being able to see their mental health issues that have since made themselves evident,” he explains. “It’s about how hindsight and perspective can cause more pain and guilt for those affected by these illnesses.”

Listen below.

Saint Syzygy will perform three songs and conduct an interview tomorrow night, May 28, with Nuci’s Space via live stream. The Georgia Dish Boys will also be performing. The stream kicks off at 7 p.m.

More Info
Bandcamp: saintsyzygy.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @saintsyzygy