Imperial Motors Channel Political Fury On Their Debut EP 'Charlie Don’t Surf'
Up-and-coming art-punk band Imperial Motors has released their first full-length project, Charlie Don’t Surf–a four-song EP that transports the mind into a trance-like feeling through instrumentals. while expressing strong feelings of apathy and wrath towards the political state of the world. Each track functions like a mini allegory, painting portraits of people numbed by consumerism, ego, or ideology.
Based in Brooklyn, the band is composed of Liam O’Toole (vocals and bass), Josh Cukier (drums and vocals), Ben Biber (synth, keys, and vocals), and Andrew Garces (guitar). They aim to create a cerebral form of punk that channels anger into political messaging, built on irony, intellect, and intensity. Their sound is reminiscent of the transitional period of punk from the 80s to the 90s, evocative of David Byrne, but also something completely its own. Bass, guitar, and synth drive the attention of each song, with a percussive element that anchors down the tempos and mood.
The track “Bartender” kicks off the EP, and it's my personal favorite from the project. O’Toole confesses his love for a bartender, but pauses at the chorus, remembering the conditions of his being. He sings, “two hundred years ago you’d reach in the water / You could grab a trout, eat a trout—now you can’t even drink the water!” This shift emphasizes the monotony and complicity that comes with day-to-day life, and the mix of a lighter guitar riff with heavy-driving percussive elements makes the song utterly obsessive.
“Freeloader” plays with morality and self-interest, with an electronic synth sound and buzzing baseline powering through. “Sonya,” on the other hand, brings a mellower state of mind to the album, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in its commentary. This track is fragile and cinematic, telling the story of two lovers contemplating the end when the disasters of climate change have reached their climax. With glistening guitar lines and drums that pulse with a steady melancholy, this track stands out and holds its own among the other tracks.
Ending on "Infinite Money Glitch,” the EP comes to a chaotic close, fitting for the realities that Imperial Motor aims to draw attention to. The vocals are fragmented, the percussion is jagged, and the guitar is harsh as concepts of individuality vanish into automation. Charlie Don’t Surf doesn’t provide you with any form of resolution. Imperial Motors makes sure that you’re left with the hum of collapse and discomfort, echoing the state of the world as it currently stands. This band isn’t afraid of turning chaos and disorder into art that electrifies despair.
To stay up-to-date with Imperial Motors, you can follow them on Instagram, @impmo. Make sure to stream Charlie Don’t Surf wherever you get your music.
