The latest from Poke A Brain
On Love, Resentment & Mortality, Poke A Brain leans into the messy contradictions implied by the title. It’s an album steeped in lo-fi grit and indie rock sensibilities, but it’s also unafraid to wander into blues, garage rock, and even the occasional synth-streaked detour. The production feels intentionally unvarnished, like the band is documenting a moment rather than polishing a product. At its best, the album feels raw in the way a torn photograph still carries more weight than a perfect print.
“No More” kicks things off with loose-limbed confidence. It’s a slacker groove anchored by jangly guitars, a steady beat, and a lead guitar line that flirts with Santana-style flourishes before diving back into fuzzier indie territory. It’s one of the strongest tracks here, carried by a vocal performance that really nails every section she attempts.
“Someone Like You” howls with a kind of bluesy desperation, sparse and haunted. A ghost of a synth drifts through the background like fog over an empty road. That spectral vibe vanishes with “Love Is Free,” a straightforward garage rocker that trades complexity for feel. It's scrappy and immediate, powered more by energy and precision. “Blind Love” and “Tender” pull things inward again; the former seethes under muted chords while the latter drifts toward ballad territory, giving the vocalist another chance to stretch out emotionally.
There’s a surprising amount of dexterity in the guitar work throughout, but nowhere does it feel more electric than on “Unresolved Dreams,” which erupts into full-on shred territory. It’s brief but memorable. “Midlife” and “Wicked Games” play with tension and release, the latter especially leaning into dissonance without losing its footing. “Did It on My Own” is among the album’s heaviest tracks, pairing distorted riffs with unexpected vocal harmonies. Closer to classic pop structure is “Night and Day,” a straightforward love song by comparison, and one of the catchiest cuts here.
There’s something charmingly unkempt about Love, Resentment & Mortality. It doesn’t chase cohesion, and that might be the point. Instead, it presents a rotating cast of moods and styles that speak to the mess of being human. It’s sometimes loud, sometimes tender, sometimes just trying to find the right chord.