On their new single “Our Murderous Descent,” Liz Lehman (a.k.a. The Scary Jokes) whips their trademark bedroom pop sound into a wild, watery froth. The Pennsylvania-based musician says they were first inspired to write the song—the first track from their upcoming LP, Retinal Bloom—after standing near a potentially bone-crushing waterfall. An intrusive thought occurred to them at the time: “You’re just like, ‘What if I stood under that?’” says Lehman. “It’s so powerful.”
Persistent drums and a rising mist of reverb and distortion illustrate the scene, along with a prismatic halo of shimmery synths. As the song progressed, Lehman says that the waterfall image—the idea of standing up under unrelenting force—became a metaphor for trying to build a supportive community for women, people of color, and LGBTQ people under the weight of an oppressive society. “You’re in a hostile environment with a bunch of people, clearly all under the same circumstances, and what can you do but be there for each other?” Lehman says.
In crafting Retinal Bloom, Lehman enlisted the help of Fire-Toolz’s Angel Marcloid, who previously remixed and remastered The Scary Jokes’ 2016 record April Fools. Marcloid co-produced the new record, also adding guitar and drums to supplement Lehman’s vocals and Elektron Model:Cycles synth work.
You can step beneath The Scary Jokes’ sonic waterfall and stream “Our Murderous Descent” below. Retinal Bloom arrives May 26 via Needlejuice Records.
