Reptar
Lurid Glow
JOYFUL NOISE
4/10
Reptar is an unfortunately named band that usually has enough tricks up its sleeve to be forgiven for it. But not this time around. The band’s newest album Lurid Glow is all over the place, with synth lines ambushed by blasts of saxophone and potentially danceable melodies broken into out-of-tune headaches. There is a lot of chirping. And squealing. And even some growling. But there’s no discernible thread there. Indie-philes could argue whether Reptar is sincerely paying homage to the new wave pantheon or razzing it with the album-opening “No One Will Ever Love You” and synoptic “Every Chance I Get.” But honestly, the group’s genuineness doesn’t really (and shouldn’t) matter because we all know where the road paved with good intentions leads. Lurid Glow is an unfocused, unambitious record that makes listeners question whether Reptar is even sure of its own footing within the rapidly changing world of indie music anymore.
