Kill Gosling – Waster | EP Review
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We’re Trying Records
My first sentence for this piece was supposed to be something to the effect of "I'm writing this review at a Kill Gosling show," but I got too caught up watching the set, and that sentence wound up being the only thing I wrote down.
So instead, I'm writing this a few weeks after the last time I saw Kill Gosling, a Columbus-based band who are increasingly hard to pin down. A year ago, I would've described them as a pop-punk band; six months ago, I would have said ‘emo riff powerhouse.’ Pulling back to that recent performance, vocalist Chandler let the crowd know that they were about to see 20 to 30 minutes of "normal rock music," and even that still feels inaccurate to me. Over the past two years, I've had the privilege to witness and share the stage with Kill Gosling, and during that time, the scope of their sound has only increased. I walk away from every set positive that they've outdone themselves, and I'm not sure I've ever been wrong about that.
Today sees the release of Waster, the band's second EP and their most fully realized effort to date. With thick, dense sound recorded by guitarist Violet Eadie and production courtesy of booked-and-busy scene vet Will Killingsworth, this feels like one of the most monumental emo-adjacent records of the year. Not only does this release feel like it accurately captures the qualities I’ve noticed in Kill Gosling after taking in countless gigs, but the whole thing just barely fits under 10 minutes. The band doesn't waste a second, kicking off with a blink-and-you-'ll-miss-it drum fill leading straight into verse one of “Bobby Hobby,” making for a floaty doo-wop-style opener that's in and out with two verses, two choruses, and a solo in less than a minute and a half.
They don't let up after this, either - highlights include lead single “Cow Tools,” a Far Side-referencing track that, in the same minute and a half, takes a fast punk beat and reflects on friends, sobriety and “talking about the bands we hate” (I’m praying I’m not counted here) before leading into some guitar shredding and screamed vocals. Diversity in vocal performance is one of the biggest upgrades this record brings, from the bratty Billie Joe Armstrong-esque sneers on “Forget” to the chorused, yearning backing tracks on tracks like “Impatient” and “Untitled.” The instrumentals get their time to shine, too - “Forget” sports the tightest rhythm section performances I’ve heard from a rock band all year, and flourishes on “Hobby” and “Selfish” showcase just how talented the group all are individually.
Despite the modest “normal rock music” tag, Kill Gosling is a band that knows what they’re doing and know how to do it well. With a sound that’s both familiar and hard to quite nail with one description, sometimes it can get hard to explain what exactly you’re in for with them. Doing my best here, though: Waster is easily one of the best post-hardcore-rock-emo-pop-indie-shoegaze-punk-wave-core records you’re gonna find all year.
Rohan Rindani is a writer and musician based in Columbus, OH covering DIY music, non-DIY music, and whatever else they want to, really. They’re also in a few bands. You can send them money, job offers, and praise via email, and look at them on Instagram. You can also find them on Twitter or at a show if you know where to look.
