SLUG Magazine’s collection of reviews covering the latest and greatest of Utah-based music, covering all varieties of genre, style and type.

Local Review: The Hang Ups

Local Review: The Hang Ups
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I love everything about punk rock—the anger, the energy, all of it. I hope that three-piece bands like The Hung Ups are always around. The songs on this EP are so immediate and easy to get into. … read more

Local Review: The Direction

Local Review: The Direction
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Even though you might not think “gypsy anything” based on the equation of music I used above to describe The Direction’s sound, use your imagination when I say that they create a unique brand of gypsy-blues-rock that incorporates sounds from all of the above.  … read more

Local Review: Brisk1er

Local Review: Brisk1er
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Brisk1er’s second compilation album coalesces meaty funk beats with a wide variety of local rap artists. If he continues to pump out substantial mix tapes, the crossroads of the West will soon be a heavy contender in the national underground rap scene. … read more

Local Review: Book on Tape Worm

Local Review: Book on Tape Worm
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Book on Tape Worm have struck a perfect balance of expressing themselves artistically and considering their audience. Their folksy aesthetic is unique because of its whimsical nature and delicate sound, which is accented nicely by cello and bells. … read more

Local Review: The Arcadians

Local Review: The Arcadians
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The Arcadians released an EP earlier this summer, this Provo-based indie band is back again with a 10-track album, No More Nightmares. Like a lot of indie bands these days, The Arcadians follow a trend of putting less focus on song melodies, keeping the spotlight on vocals, along with simple chord changes and guitar riffs. … read more

Local Review: Accidente

Local Review: Accidente
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With an opening track eye-catchingly titled “Listen Bitch,” Accidente kick off their most recent endeavor with a chunky bass line as frontman Peter Mackowski emits sarcastic, guttural growls that build into a riffy number.  … read more

Local Review: Zombie Book Club

Local Review: Zombie Book Club
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This local duo still has a ways to go to catch up with Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, but nonetheless, this debut album features some decent zombie tunes, if that’s your kind of thing. … read more

Local Review: Wildcat Strike

Local Review: Wildcat Strike
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The word that best describes this album is “raw.” It’s safe to say that Wildcat Strike’s debut release is nothing short of original. Psychedelic and folk influences are present. There’s even a tinge of blues, but with raw talent, this band has melded their own form of rock. … read more

Local Review: Porco Rosso

Local Review: Porco Rosso
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Porco Rosso is the chillwave project of Park City’s Davis Johnson, and the One Day As A Lion EP is on Bandcamp for a name-your-price deal. There is no other information about him online, but that’s fine, because the music is capable of speaking for itself.  … read more

Local Review: Mystique

Local Review: Mystique
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This three-song EP is packed with delightful bounciness. Urgent piano riffs and a really rich female vocal execution stand out on the first track. Even the second song, which is more of a ballad, continues with a great rhythm. … read more