Having lived, worked, and created in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighbourhood for over a decade, native Texan Travis Johnson has felt the direct impact of the growth and dissolution that comes with rapid gentrification. His band Grooms practiced, and recorded at Brooklyn’s Death By Audio for seven years before they were forced out of their spiritual and literal home in November 2014 when DBA shut its doors. With the band’s income not providing enough money to support any of its members, bass player and co-writer Emily Ambruso went on hiatus from the band, leaving Johnson as the only original member. Despite these unfortunate blows, Johnson soldiered on, soon recruiting Jay Heiselmann on bass, and actor/comedian Steve Levine on drums. Unlike their previous album Infinity Caller (which Speedy Ortiz’s Sadie Dupuis called “…an exercise in explosion and restraint hallmarked by sweeping guitars, stuttery drums, and cryptic, airy vocals…”) Comb… brings the band’s rhythm section to the fore, and Johnson’s trademark guitar stylings often take a backseat to his psychedelic sample-collages and ambient electronics. Fortunately the new approach works, balancing pop structures with masterful experimental production that shifts in tone and colour in harmony with Johnson’s tales of acceptance, loneliness, and impotent violence.

“…a revelation — dynamic , hooky, energetic!” PITCHFORK

“The ’90s indie rock lashings of Grooms, add a reminder to dust off your Polvo/SY LPs” STEREOGUM

“…some of the mo st exciting new sounds the Kings County has to offer.” POP MATTERS