For their second album Aware, Scottish hardcore punk duo Moni Jitchell honed their ideas by taking a little more time with the recordings. David Scott’s 12 string guitar playing was inspired by the likes of hip-hop artists Billy Woods and Armand Hammer, in terms of the textures he has created. Drummer/vocalist/synth player Grant Donaldson ably brings the backup for this bone rattling little record that gets the business done with minimum fuss. Whilst a new name to me the band have been merrily gaining traction by supporting the likes of Mclusky, Greg Puciato, Melt Banana and Cloakroom to name but a few.
Opening track ‘Ask’ is not for messing around getting straight into piledriving riffs as Grant yelps in his throat shredding hardcore style. There’s a wee nod to At The Drive-In but the vibe is altogether rawer and punkier. Dexterous drumming props up David’s jabbing guitar which teeters on the brink of heading out of tune in ‘New Table’. David’s blistering guitar gives ‘Faults’ an urgency like Fugazi played at the wrong speed.
‘Ache’ finally drops off the tempo for an almost playful atmospheric as David’s guitars chime with lilting melody. Dynamically more adventurous the song weaves and swerves as Grant barks “there’s an ache to the body”. I can resonate with that sentiment! ‘No Offering’ feels distinctly bare opening with only Grant’s screams over a metronomic guitar pattern. David’s bass etches into the earth when the rhythm section drops. ‘All To See’ kicks like an angry mule with a brilliantly clattering beat, angle grinding guitars and Grant absolutely losing his shit over the top of it.
‘Hear’ feels like the theme music to some cartoon crime fighter with a wonderful grinding riff. Then album highlight ‘Aware’ has sick inducing woozy guitars like My Bloody Valentine fused with Minor Threat, but when the chorus moment drops, it’s bordering on the tender. A potential hardcore classic in the making. ‘Limp Eyes’ has tumbling drums and chiselling guitars making for a caustic closer. David’s guitar work is frenetic yet melodic in the most glorious way.
Across nine tracks, and with just over twenty minutes in run-time, Moni Jitchell cram a heck of lot in. In the best hardcore punk fashion songs whizz by, not letting you grab a breath. Lead track ‘Aware’ is the prime cut on this shock to the system, but there’s plenty of depth to unravel with repeat plays. A wonderfully subversive collection of edgy yet melodic punk rock.
