EP review: Memory Cell - Holding On To It 

 

Memory Cell. One of my absolute favorite bands in the Kalamazoo scene. I had the pleasure and privilege to play alongside them at the Dormouse Theater almost a year ago, sharing the bill with other phenomenal acts, Prismer & Via Ferrata. I was blown away by their fusing of post-punk and math rock into indie rock a la bands like Women and Palm, both absolute favorites of mine. I had known of the drummer’s work through his involvement in other bands within the scene. So, naturally, Memory Cell became a band I have been keeping tabs on ever since I learned of their presence.

 

At the end of that night, I picked up a copy on tape of their first album which I liked, but with their release of their first EP, “Burden of a Body”,  I was really blown away being able to hear songs from that night in a formally recorded fashion. I’m really pleased to say that their newest EP released on February 2, 2024, “Holding On To It”, continues that trend and will probably end up being one of my favorite EPs of the year.

 

Starting off with “Portal"  it starts off very lowkey, tamer than usual, up until the halfway mark where the groove picks up and we’re suddenly thrown in a wash cycle of shuffling rhythms before we can even realize how we got here. It’s a great cut, but things only get better from here. “Shapes” has a really vibrant opening riff then goes into a really great rhythm before we get into these “hold” sections where the band really keeps the audience on their toes during live sets. It’s a favorite of mine, but even more so is the next and final track, “Shadows”. Each section sounds like an engine revving up before shooting off on its path. It’s the most danceable track on here, but don’t be fooled as this song also has its big breakdown moment about a minute and a half in, further devolving into a richly-textured ambient section. A drumbeat comes in during the last 30 seconds, seeming to yearn for continuity, but ultimately being shut out by the buzzing all around.

 

All around, this is yet another excellent taster of the songs, sounds, and energy that Memory Cell has been bringing with their music, and like with the release of their last EP, I can’t wait to hear more from them. 

 

And of course, the thoughts and opinions expressed herein are strictly my own. Please don’t take my word as gospel. I encourage you to listen to the music mentioned here in this review for yourself and form your own opinions. Not everything is for everybody, but there’s always something for everyone.

Thank you for reading.

 

1. Portal (8)

2. Shapes (8.5) [KT]

3. Shadows (9)