Don’t let the name “I, Banana” fool you. Brooklyn’s Operator—a four-piece led by Dara Hirsch and Jared Hiller—aren’t kidding around. The track, taken from their debut EP, Puzzlephonics I, is a sophisticated machine, engineered to turn on a dime without losing momentum. The group chug on a motorik pulse reminiscent of Deerhunter circa “Nothing Ever Happened” before shifting gracefully to a chorus that sounds like Stereolab at their most languid—all before they finally open the throttle and blur through the song’s final minute in a flash of distortion and dissonance.
Operator will self-release Puzzlephonics I on October 9, following a live date with Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier and Deradoorian. The EP’s track list, and a handful of other dates, are below.
Puzzlephonics I track list
“I, Banana”
“Requirements”
“Mr. Director”
“Trauma”
“EE UNSH”
Operator tour dates
September
5 — Brooklyn, NY — Shea Stadium
10 — Brooklyn, NY — Silent Barn
11 — Brooklyn, NY — Baby’s All Right (w/ Laetitia Sadier and Deradoorian)
October
9 — Brooklyn, NY — Reverse Gallery (album release show)
Puzzlephonics I is out October 9.
