Weird Nightmare

Description

Weird Nightmare presents a new facet of the songwriting of singer and guitarist Alex Edkins from METZ, a raw and sweet explosion of distorted pop. The album showcases all the bite of his main band with an unexpected and satisfying softness. Imagine The Amps covering Big Star, or the miniature epics of Guided by Voices' classic era combined with the grandiosity of Sugar's Copper Blue – just tons of distortion mixed with the kind of songcrafting that resonates the moment it reaches your ears. Weird Nightmare is, in its own way, a study of extremes: Alex's melodic instincts and penchant for dissonance are both pushed to the max through his sonic preferences. Alex needs to push boundaries. He also cites other artists who have mastered the art of blending the sublime and the punishing – Kim Deal and Scout Niblett among them – as influences on his own songwriting. His favorite songs are the simplest; he has never been drawn to virtuosity or technicality. Some songs have the power to lift your spirits like nothing else can, and he wanted to create that kind of song. There are a few guests on Weird Nightmare, with Canadian alternative pop genius Chad VanGaalen adding his touch on “Oh No,” and Alicia Bognanno from Bully on “Wrecked,” a collaboration that saved the track. Taking risks and stepping out of his comfort zone was the name of the game when it came time to create Weird Nightmare.