Abrams are a rock band from the US and this is their sixth album.
Loon offers up a tight 37 minutes of infectious rock music, although this is not completely the same Abrams that we’ve encountered previously. Loon showcases a different facet of the Abrams sound, and it does this exceedingly well.
So, prior to Loon, Abrams played a hybrid form of heavy rock that took in influence from post-hardcore, alternative rock, grunge, and stoner rock – psychedelic, riffy, hook-based, and delicious. This is largely still true. However, unlike a record such as 2022’s In the Dark, Loon is also angry. The elements above remain the core of the Abrams style, but the band have now ramped up their hardcore/post-hardcore influences.
This newfound aggression is tastefully and skilfully incorporated into Loon‘s material like it has always been a part of the Abrams sound. There’s a dissonance and an off kilter edge that makes itself known in places, that has also been absent previously. This, coupled with a darkness and frustration that seeps into everything, makes for a record that’s highly compelling.
So, in simplistic terms, think of Loon as a mix of bits of bands such as Cave In, Torche, and Soundgarden, with an unexpected touch of Converge here and there, (musically, if not vocally). It’s less pop, more grit. Less stoner, more post-hardcore.
The darker, heavier side that Loon brings to the table was unlooked for, but now it’s here, it’s very welcome. Abrams have already shown themselves to be a very good, notable band in the past. Now, they’re even better.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 