Written by: Dave Cantrell

Most transitions in the artist/music world, we’ve found, are, if not tortured, at least a bit messy, a bit…fussed over. Not so the leap for former Priests founder G.L Jaguar, who formed Ecstatic International pretty much within minutes of his former band, Washington DC’s super-crafty pop-punkers Priests, playing their last show on New Years Eve, 2019. Whether or not it’s to be considered the most quickly acted upon New Years resolution in the history of bandkind is not for us to say but nonetheless we have to assume that the turnaround between the old and the new was at the very least quite the head-snapper for those involved in the Capital’s tight-knit scene. Which is appropriate in a way as the result will indeed have a similar, if much more direct, anatomical effect.

Drafting in Ex Hex drummer (and enduring friend) Laura Harris – the two could have formed an instant support group seeing as Harris was pretty much going through the exact same parting-of-the-ways at the exact same time – they immediately roped in new pal Nikhil Rao and proceeded to spend the pandemic basically woodshedding, crafting a ‘fresh’ sound that simply could not be fresher. Further expanding the roster to include Olivia Neutron-John provocateur Anno and frontman Jacky Cougar Abok from the Des Demonas camp, the pieces necessary to conquer the postpunk-infused dance world were well in place and the EP you’re about to swoon your way through came together in short order. The result, a self-titled 5-track cassette on the estimable Sister Polygon Records, is officially released – and sets out on its world-conquering path – today.

Just as happening and astute as their numerous previous bands but with an added, breathtaking cohesion, the Irresistibility Quotient is pretty much sky-high here, the rhythms visceral and visionary in that recognizably, well, ecstatic way, the groove seeming almost impossibly locked-in but, hey, no worries, look down there on the floor, your feet hold the key. In short, a dazzling debut from one of those ‘bands we’ve been waiting for but didn’t know it.’ While not an antidote to the chaos that swirls around us here at the tail end of 2022, it’s nearly inconceivable that any other record is going to come any closer. In shorter short, it’s escapism with its intelligence fully intact.

Dance this mess around.

[scroll down for a track-by-track breakdown from the band; it’s like talking to the architects of the world’s coolest new building]

 

TRACK-BY-TRACK BREAKDOWN:

High Violence, G.L:

High Violence was inspired by an interview with journalist Amanda Ripley from a book she wrote called High Conflict. She reflects on the divide of people in this country and worldwide. In high conflict people mirror the behavior of an aggressor creating a very “I know you are but what am I” situation. This often happens when people end up arguing online. Often we are ruled by fear. It blinds us from the love and empathy.

Disruptor, Jacky:

First summer after lock down. Feeling good about feeling good. Factory 51, The Hacienda,  ‘Temptation’ by New Order/ 77 Disco meets The Fall, track 7 on Screamadelica “what is it that you want to do? WE WANT TO BE FREE TO DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO /AND WE WANNA GET LOADED /AND WE WANNA HAVE A GOOD TIME” headphones on, Walking on 14th street on Saturday nights.

Corridor, Nikhil;

Corridor recants the place between an old life and a new. It’s about looking back on an early childhood memory of being a baby in a movie theater with the intellectual capacity of an adult. To this day I think I was experiencing reincarnation. In a movie theater. During a children’s movie. Our souls are in high demand, sometimes between two bodies.

Monsters, G.L.:

Monsters is a meditation on the collective trauma that we all have from the pandemic. It resonates through feelings of isolation, anxiety, and insecurity. We can feel collectively alone, even if this is something we’re in together. I want a better existence for myself. Do you?

Premium Vision, Nikhil;

Premium Vision was born out of a recurring day dream about a post-apocalyptic future where everyone embraces the worst parts of themselves in complete ecstasy. I was imagining galloping on a horse through rundown highways, passing by shopping malls eyeing discount sales signs of capitalist pipe dreams, and laughing maniacally.