The guitar tones and interplay in Parallel’s “Death or Oblivion” is refreshingly distinct and clear in the realm of where post-punk and shoegaze blur the stylistic line. Though the vocals are understated and slightly hazy in the mix they sit well in the mix offering a poetic commentary on the connection between the ravages of climate change and existential dread in the face of a seemingly doomed future. The arcs of descending melody anchored by pulsing yet crisp bass lines and widely expressive percussion enhance a contemplative mood yet one driven by an urge to express what’s in one’s head as a means of giving it explicable form in a way that inspires emotional movement rather than getting stuck in a pit of psychological stasis of being overwhelmed. There is a bit of Seventeen Seconds-period The Cure in the dynamics of the outro and fans of The Chameleons will appreciate the deep clarity in the song’s tonal mix. Listen to “Death or Oblivion” no Spotify and follow Oakland’s Parallel at the links below. The group’s new mini-album Flooded released via Cherub Dream Records July 10, 2024 on streaming, download, cassette and vinyl.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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