OWLS

Owls sounds like a clock being taken apart and put back together by someone who isn't quite sure where the extra gears go. The music is defined by the incredible chemistry between the four members, featuring clean, brittle electric guitars that weave around each other in complex, spiderweb-like patterns. The drumming is equally distinctive, eschewing standard rock beats for a jazz-inflected, conversational style that feels like it’s constantly reacting to the melodic shifts.

What truly sets Owls apart is the vocal delivery of Tim Kinsella. His deadpan, almost spoken-word style delivers lyrics that are a mix of deep self-examination and bizarre, surrealist imagery. It is music that feels both highly intellectual and deeply anxious, capturing a specific kind of Midwestern restlessness. There is no reverb to hide behind here; the production is dry and intimate, making every string pluck and drum hit feel like it’s happening right in front of you.

Start with their self-titled debut from 2001. It is the definitive document of their sound, capturing the moment when the members of Cap'n Jazz transitioned from teenage chaos into a more disciplined, albeit still eccentric, form of art rock. It’s the perfect entry point for anyone who loves music that challenges the listener while remaining strangely catchy.