Smoke Below

***The ironically titled Structurally Sound is the fourth and final release by Baltimore/Australian band Smoke Bellow via Portland's Moon Glyph Records. This release traverses a period of personal upheaval and destruction for the band, as well as the breakdown of the central creative relationship at its core. Written over 2022 and 2023 at home in Baltimore, this record was born of the collaboration between founding members Christian Best and Meredith McHugh. This release saw the duo partner with Baltimore percussionist Jen Kirby (Strange Times People Band) who had joined the band on many tours to promote 2021's Open for Business (Trouble in Mind). Structurally Sound is the self-assured melding of post-punk, disco and modern minimalist composition, with lyrical themes spanning desire, personal anguish as well as the celebration of community and resilience. It represents something entirely new, however, distinct sonic lines can be traced to previous iterations of the band. Sonically, influences range from modern minimalist composers such as Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Steve Reich, to the elemental bass/drum/guitar conversation of ESG, The Raincoats, Pylon, Au Pairs and Essential Logic. At its core Structurally Sound is a celebration of the buoyancy found in the bonds of community. It is a fitting closing chapter to the band's omnipresent exploration of rhythm and repetition, at once serious and playful. This release sees an increased focus on arrangement as a key conveyor of musical ideas and a sonic palette expanded by their collaborators’ horns, strings, percussion and prose.