Feeling bad that Lush is finito after their last reunion fizzled out quick?
Fret no longer. Ozzga and Polar Lows are here to lift you all the way to the Northern Lights and to dreamy landscapes while reminding you of one of the legendary purveyors of shoegaze rock.
The two local shoegaze bands have put out one of the best new releases in the first quarter of 2022 with an extended play single unambiguously titled… “Split.”
The four-track compact disc independently released by both bands (also available on streaming devices) features two tracks from Ozzga – “Feel You” and “Should” – and two more from Polar Lows – “Paper Street” and “Ellipsis.”
On their part, Ozzga’s songs are heavier and louder with the highly-textured guitars giving life to fading dreams and the return to a harsh reality.
Since their debut in 2018, Polar Lows has treated shoegaze fans to the majesty of their sound. With one of the new songs, “Paper Street,” the band strays into Siouxsie and the Banshees territory with the tortured guitars providing a beguiling edge. The title is a paean to Tyler Durden’s street address in the film, Fight Club, so you get the drift.
The other track, “Ellipses,” has this haunting music box feel.
The grimoire is evident and it separates the band from others in the genre.
In some ways, at least direction-wise and not sonic-wise, it is like Narcloudia, the band of Megumie’s sister, Bea. Still they are of different sonic palettes.
It’s a good start to 2022 with music that isn’t heavy to take given the times. In fact, it’s perfect because it allows dissident souls to wander and replenish themselves.
“Split” is Ozzga’s third EP but first with another band while this extended play single is Polar Lows’ second.
It is a welcome release from Polar Lows that released their well-received and hard-to-find debut EP, “Hereafter” in 2019.
Ozzga is Gabriel dela Cruz on guitar, Poti Mercado on vocals, Quasar Mangaoang on guitar and vocals, Boid Ong on bass, and Ronman Laylo on drums.
Polar Lows is Megumie Alcala on vocals and guitars, Christian Pablo on vocals and guitars, Francis Topia on bass, and Joshua Gandia on drums.