Plyers’ Clear is one of the best punishments you’ll have all year. This record is an unapologetic deliverance of chaotic, perplexing and freakish noise-rock, with a heavy emphasis on noise. With all the dizzying ruckus that occurs, Plyers really step up to the plate with their dynamic sensibility, raw musicianship, and wildly adventurous sounds.
Kicking things off is Microwave; a ten-minute tension-builder interspersed with amp and underpinned by a didgeridoo-sounding drone, gradually bringing in dissonant guitars and steady percussion to the fold. The freeform style of this track feels like watching a drum circle of noise musicians. Without skipping a beat, we’re transitioned into Healer, a track which provides visceral noise-punk and pummelling sludge-metal, followed by an ominous mantra over some eerily soft instrumentation. The track eventually pacifies and closes with a casually strummed acoustic guitar and finger-picked noodling. It’s a wild ride, and one that Plyers executes perfectly.
Their extreme turf is pushed further on the one-minute fireball God Growth, hitting you in a blaze of shrieked vocals and piercing guitars, and finishes before you can turn the volume down. Ownersupporter is a standout moment, Plyers laying down a really strong groove. Closer Highpoint sums up everything that Plyers do, taking their experimental and noise-rock proclivities to extremes in this divided track.
Plyers introduce themselves to you as musical antagonists, and do it so boldly that it makes the album that much more unique. If disorienting musical aggression is your thing, or if you’re looking for something on the fringe of experimental rock, don’t skip this album.
