Album REVIEW: jam to Mall Goth’s Latest EP “Heather’s Exit” at No fun, presented by Byrdhouse Records

Aug 7

Fans of Mall Goth will immediately recognize elements of their easy-going, uptempo sound alive and well… Kasper’s vocals and lyricism knit their way sweetly [throughout].

Albany-based indiepop band Mall Goth are set to release their latest EP Heather’s Exit this Friday with fellow Albany locals Halo Bite, Senior Living, and Apple Pie joining them for their Troy release show.

Although perfectly in keeping with their distinct flavor of DIY, Heather’s Exit is a slight departure from the brighter and peppier Spider Bite EP released just last year. Mid-aughts darlings like Grass Widow and Vivian Girls spring to mind as early influences.

Fans of Mall Goth will still immediately recognize elements of their easy-going, uptempo sound alive and well in tracks like “Your Garden.” Ella Kasper’s vocals and lyricism knit their way sweetly through the tight two and half minute song, first released as a single in early June. The opening lines: “Soft serve on a cone / faces covered / in rainbow sprinkles” make it a perfectly timed summer single release. “Crawl Space” holds on to that signature innocence, delivering bittersweet guitar riffs and self-reflective lyrics similar to contemporaries like Wombo and Alvvays.

As much as a summer show lends itself to light, breezy tunes, “Marionette” and the title track “Heather’s Exit” take a dip into a slower, more discordant and contemplative realm that feels deeply 90s-alternative with a little contemporary bedroom shoegaze. Kasper says of “Heather’s Exit”: “That's definitely my favorite song to perform live. When [guitarist] Sam brought it to the table, I was listening to a lot of the band Wednesday. I took a lot of inspiration from Sonic Youth and Kim Gordon, which was kind of new territory.” The latter is on display most prominently in the last minute of the song, as the guitars spiral down into a more droning and shimmery place with Kasper’s melodic voice slipping into soft spoken-word.

The group is set to play a string of shows throughout the northeast in the coming months and boasts an impressive list of bands they’ve supported in the past, including Kimya Dawson, They are Gutting a Body of Water, and MX Lonely. As far as what’s next for Mall Goth, Kasper says, “Right now we’re focusing on the fall. We’re planning to go out to Philly and we’ve got some more shows lined up locally, too.” You might find that their music is the perfect soundtrack for lying on your bed daydreaming with headphones on, but this Friday is your opportunity to get out and experience them live.

You can find Mall Goth on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Instagram as @mallgothny.

Tickets for Friday August 8th’s show at No Fun can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mall-gothhalo-bitesenior-livingapple-pie-tickets-1484639620069 or at the door.