“Jinx” by Weekend

July 23. 2013 | By Ace Ubas

weekend-mirror

Weekend
Jinx
[Slumberland Records]

After three years since their impressive debut Sports, San Francisco rockers Weekend are finally back with their long-awaited sophomore album Jinx.

The range of influences is vast – from the ’70s era of post-punk and krautrock to the ’80s shoegaze and new wave. On “Oubliette” and “Celebration, FL,” the guitars birth a highly-refined wall-of-sound, while layers of ambience perfectly compliment them to create a spacey atmosphere a-la The Cure or A Place To Bury Strangers. Drummer Abe Pedroza drives each song with his snare-heavy percussion that exhibit a rhythmic balance of poise and aggression on “July” and “Sirens” (think Interpol, Iceage, DIIV). In contrast to Sports, the hi-fidelity production adds more clarity and definition to their overall sound, while the fury and intensity remains untouched.

Lyrically, the subject matter is an introverted look at vocalist/guitarist Shaun Durkan’s conflicts. “Mirror” shows Durkan’s struggle for a sense of belonging to the point where he feels “sick, sick, sick in my heart,” while “Scream Queen” is a desire to disappear, or “fade away.” The repetitiveness accentuates the emotion behind the themes that resonates throughout Jinx.

Jinx drowns you in a sonic bath leaving you in a meditative state. Simply put, it’s a damn good album.

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