Cab Ellis by Cab Ellis

Adding to the rich garage rock tradition of New York City with their unique blend of jazz, hip hop, soft rock, and punk, the new self-titled LP from Cab Ellis sounds simultaneously accessible and personal, unique and familiar. Ambidextrous vocals and instrumentals touch on a wide range of aesthetics, always cognizant of the best moments to spiral off into delightful tangents and when to lock in on a catchy, memorable hook. Jazz flourishes call to mind the lighter side of the London post rock scene, introducing an experimental flair to this alternative rock sound that pairs perfectly with a flexible vocal style. Where 2000s garage rock bands built their intensity through extreme compression, a veil which promised a deeply angsty core just begging for release, Cab Ellis lays its emotional cards directly on the table, with emphatic guitar solos, shouted vocal stabs, and energetic ensemble riffs pulling us into an empathetic orbit. Cab Ellis represents the rare enigmatic individual voice in the indie pop scene, one which may be imitated but will always belong to this deeply charming band.