Sugar SpineMirror Talk (EP)

It seems impossible that Sugar Spine‘s debut EP Mirror Talk, is the work of just one man who was bored during a 14 day COVID isolation period.

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Although somehow, Josh Muncke has managed to pull it off, and in a manner that easily contends with any fully fledged metalcore band out there.

As one of the most interesting multi-instrumentalist projects seen in a longtime, Muncke’s vision ushers in a flurry of unrelenting hooks, unpolished snarled vocals and breakdowns that at times are so heavy you can’t help but smile and revel in nostalgia. But that all feels part of the DNA for Sugar Spine. As if Muncke spent that much time in isolation listening to early 2000’s metalcore that he just thought, ‘fuck it, I’m doing this,’ and damn, it’s refreshing. From the insanely brutal gutturals and machine gun-esque riffs that kick off opener Gutter Paint, it’s evident that Mirror Talk will be a sonic onslaught. With a rough nature to it’s recording that perfectly matches the aggressive output, 83’s rattling open snare hits and frenetic hardcore riffs provide such a vicious tone, that feel even more assaulting after it’s tapered off slow burning bridge.

As one of the most interesting multi-instrumentalist projects seen in a longtime, Muncke’s vision ushers in a flurry of unrelenting hooks, unpolished snarled vocals and breakdowns that at times are so heavy you can’t help but smile and revel in nostalgia.

Title track Mirror Talk stands out due to its swooning, almost gospel inspired introduction; as does Sensation, which see’s Muncke’s provocative lyricism strike a chord by his rally calls state, “I’m not asking you to get a degree, just spend more than 2 minutes on a single theme.” Considering Sugar Spine is still largely a bedroom project, Muncke has stated that at this point the group won’t be playing shows, as, “at this point, there is still no group.” Although, hopefully after the release of Mirror Talk, it develops into much more than just a recording project, because this is an EP that’d take punters by storm if it hit the stage.

STANDOUT TRACKS: 83, Mirror Talk, Sensation 
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