Brooklyn based post punk outfit Savak release their latest album on April 15th, a follow up to their 2020 album Rotting Teeth in The Horse’s Mouth. This release feels a little slicker, with the guitar heavy tunes mixed with subtler backing and a continuation of the deep, haunting vocals seen on past releases.

It kicks off with ‘No blues, No jazz’, jumping straight in with sharp guitars and the repetitive chorus that butts up against the more melodic verses but the chugging guitars keep the entry track of the album bouncing along to set the scene for what follows. ‘Empathy’ keeps the pace moving but sustains that melodic approach. The guitars are softened a little to give an almost pop feel to the tune 

‘My Book of Siblings’ sharpens up those guitars again but not to the point where the distortion becomes over powering. These are catchy tunes that grow on you with each listen.  ‘Cold Ocean’, released as a digital single back in January, has more of the haunting vocals, and this track has a Depeche Mode feel.

‘Set Apart’ creates an interesting tension with the double time drumming and those haunting, hanging vocals and added synthesisers. You can hear the definite punk influence, but the added polish makes these tunes far more accessible. And we have a little bit of brass in the intro for this one giving a ska feel before the guitars jump in ‘Oddsmaker’ slows the pace, with the bass taking the lead in the tune with the clean, vibrato guitars chords filling the gaps. 

‘Trashing the Ghost’ has an almost Oasis style anthemic start, with the backing delivering a more fuller kick. Easily my favourite track of the album and as the track progresses it returns to that melodic tone. I can imagine this turning into a massive song live. ‘Recanted (Free the Singer)’ sees the guitars given a little edge and the vocals switching to almost spoken echoey tones. With ‘Baltimore Moon’, again the pace picks up and the guitars continue to hold significant presence in the mix. This feels a little more conventional in structure with a catchy hook into the chorus that makes this feel like prime single material.

Adolescence Obsolete’, a B side from the January Cold Ocean’ release, sees relentless guitars again coupled with the slower vocals building another conflict that just works so well. It creates an intensity, a feeling of driving forwards, it’s almost a shock when it stops abruptly, and then you remember, that happens quite a lot in this album.

‘Dealers’ feels different, losing the edge a little, more mainstream tone and maybe a little out of place with many of these songs. But it grows in intensity and then suddenly fits right in. Again, this feels like single material. 

‘Dumbinance’, the final track, drops the pace with a laid back feel, thick layered vocals and clean guitars. Quite a subtle understated end to an album that grows with each listen.

A really enjoyable release and I am ever hopeful to see Savak this side of the water on tour in the near future. I hope they had a great SXSW in Austen, Texas.

The new release is available in all of the usual places to download from April 15th But do a band a favour, get over to their Bandcamp page and buy direct from them and check out this beautiful clear vinyl with black splatters that is available there, just WOW!

Review by Glenn Morrison