It’s not too terribly often that I find myself venturing into the world of noise rock for any particular reason other than it just happens to be that way coincidently ever since my first taste of the style via Wrong’s eponymous debut sparked my intrigue for the sound despite it sounding really interesting every time I dove into the style after that. I wasn’t expecting to find it in today’s piece, but I did, and I truly do believe that it’s through healthy experimentation and loads of talent that CHRMR came out on top here without much effort.

The combination of noise rock, post-rock, and even plenty of elements of sludge is not something I would’ve expected when first dipping my toes into this work as it’s just a combo that we rarely see if ever! But, that didn’t stop CHRMR from attempting to pull it off with their third body of work that is “Warbirds”, and to say they pulled it off wondrously is a gross understatement in every possible way! It’s the noise and post-rock elements that are at the forefront of what CHRMR bring to the table here, but it’s the deadly sludge that can easily creep up on you at a moments notice such that “Warbirds” takes on a much heavier tone that is all but unexpected in almost every situation it arrives into, and it just works way too fucking well. It’s catchy, immersive, and dynamic in such a way that it’s a true effort to not get sucked into as CHRMR conducts their style with utmost mastery and without a hint of hesitation such that by the end of “Warbirds” we’re left wanting more of the excellence that we’ve been spoiled with, and it’s only true luck that we have two previous releases to sift through. But I do truly believe that this is the best of what this band has offered thus far after investigating their past works despite them also being worthy of commendations left and right. Yet, at the end of it all, “Warbirds” fucking smashes and there’s no dodging around that fact!

This is a real rollercoaster of an album that could definitely have some minor tweaking done here and there, but there’s no denying that CHRMR has a formula that works and they’ve streamlined it in such a way that is nigh on enamoring to listen to. Whether you be there for some smooth rhythms or unexpected intensity, there isn’t much within the confines of “Warbirds” that doesn’t deliver quite nicely.

LISTEN to “Warbirds” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE CHRMR on Facebook here.