There exist many problems in the world today, and I’m about to unload another. It is downright criminal that you and everyone you know are not shouting from the rooftops about how great this new album from Austin’s Tres Oui is.
Okay, this might be a bit extreme, but perhaps only slightly, and if you give this one a spin you’ll see what I mean.
The album starts off with the bouncy bass and jangly pop of “Looking For,” which is a great tune with plenty of melody and a chorus you won’t soon forget. Then, it’s followed up with hands-down the best song of 2018, “Red Wine And Dry Ice.” A quick, post-punky tune kind of like The Jesus And Mary Chain on Prozac, it’s builds into J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) dense fuzz with crisp percussion, and the a ‘oh, oh, oh’ chorus reels you in hook line and sinker.
From there, we get the chunky bass of “Off The Rails,” the soft and lush balladry of “One Track,” and the quirky bedroom pop and heavy keyboards of “Song 4 U.” “Seance” is another bright moment here, a sweet love song that is pure sugary pop fun that could have been played at every high school dance in the ’80s.
The last few tracks are just as irresistible, where The Smiths influence of “Shy” is apparent and enjoyable, while the hazy pop of “Alex To The Right” brings us to even breezier territory. The second best tune of 2018, “Sunday’s Crowd,” lives here and offers a sunny take on post-punk that’s chock full of reverb and buzzing keys. The album exits on another Marr and Morrissey influenced tune, “Wash Away,” which even brings in lazy horns.
It’s difficult not to compare Tres Oui to legends like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, and New Order, and I’m only barely exaggerating when I say the songwriting here is just as skilled. Apparently most of the guys in Tres Oui are also in Literature, who are probably also worth exploring, but let me say this about what may just be a side project: if you’re a fan of New Wave, goth, post-punk, or anything from the ’80s, you will adore Poised To Flourish.
