From a band named June The Destroyer, one might expect harsh distortions and explosive energy. Instead, keen listeners are about to get a taste of the humorous, witty ethos that defines the Toronto-based duo. You see, behind such an intimidating artist moniker we find the most playful and daring folk-rock outfit, the artistic union of Victoria Fuller and James Karfilis. Theirs is a rather eclectic take on the genre: borrowing from a wide array of functional influences, the talented pair achieves an end result that modulates on a spectrum, constantly oscillating between wholesome euphoria and tender melodies. From the heartfelt honesty of the Laurel Canyon movement to the roaring riffs of the 90s alternative scene, there’s a lot of meat on the bone in ‘Hurry’.
Marking June The Destroyer’s latest record, ‘Hurry’ is the group’s debut album, one that we find on streaming services without any contextual singles (Bandcamp has a couple more releases). We appreciate such a straightforward, minimalistic approach. “Here’s our music, folks: do what you will with it!” – we can hear the Canadian pair shouting. Curiously, such a bold approach only works when the music is actually really good, able to quickly attract people’s attention. That’s exactly the case for ‘Hurry’: across nine diverse and observant songs, Fuller and Karfilis showcase their dynamic range, both from a vocal and instrumental perspective.
Intense and punchy rock-coded offerings (such as ‘Hot Coffee’) co-exist alongside more traditional, gentler folk (‘Find Me In The Morning’), and we must say: there are hints of psychedelia that emerge from the album’s aural continuum, from time to time. It’s probably not intentional, but more of a byproduct of June’s overachieving, chaotic artistry. Delving deeper into their thematic universe, the duo explains: “a candid, wry exploration of contemporary life: intimacy negotiated online, accountability in public spaces, the cost of living, mortality, and the pressure of constant connection.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Hurry’ now: