Preoccupations

Preoccupations reinvent themselves through death.

First there was the death of their old band, hallucinatory psych-rockers Women. Then came “Death” the monolithic song that defined their debut album Viet Cong. Then they shed their name, becoming Preoccupations. And, now, comes the “Death of Melody.”

With their newest album Arrangements, the Canadian quartet have fully embraced the gothic rock that always lingered on the edges of their steely post-punk ethos. But despite the swirl of Bauhaus darkness around every note, they still keep that lithe muscle beneath the murk. From the rapid fire march of “Fix Bayonets!” to the mournful groove of “Advisor",” the anxiety must be delivered with power and a bit of groove. But even in the shadows, Preoccupations have found their most pristine moments. Nearly pastoral closer “Tearing up the grass” finds the bitter and the sweet in childhood nostalgia and “Recalibrate,” after a churning, machine-like stomp, erupts into sheer beauty, synth arpeggios raining down like brief bits of sunlight through the smog. Preoccupations are dead. Long live Preoccupations!

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