Tunic - Wrong Dream
Artoffact Records
Released April 28th, 2023
There seems to be no shortage of noisy, post punk, post rock, post hope albums being released this year. It’s a sound and trend that is seemingly an anthem for these harsh and unforgiving times. As the hits just keep coming for regular folk, so too does the music. The noise punk stalwarts from Winnipeg known as Tunic have done it again. Following a string of well made and sonically challenging singles and albums, we are graced with their third album Wrong Dream. Following in the trend of like-minded Canadian noise rock legends METZ, this album is laden with a harsh, metallic, Fender offset guitar tone, which provides the bulk of the mood for the album . Being co-produced by Seth Manchester from METZ, this comes as no surprise, however it sheds light on the inner workings of this mysterious scene. Tunic has made a name for themselves for having a harsh and bombastic approach to their songs; however, with Wrong Dream you get something that may be slightly less hectic, but is truly trying to say a little more.
Unlike other Tunic projects the vocals end up standing out, but not in a traditional pop sense. The vocals give a feeling for the banality of modern living, the frustration of boredom, and the fear of an uncertain future that will assuredly be unfair for future generations. On tracks like “Punishment Enough” and “Protected” you get a healthy dose of singer David Schellenberg’s lyrical cynicism that breaks away into his over the top, distorted riffs we know and love. This time around Dan Unger’s drumming feels slightly more groovy, almost giving it a danceable post punk, industrial vibe. Songs like “Under Glass” and “Indirect” highlight this rolling beat which contrast to the very splashy and noisy feeling of previous material. The bass also bounces around meshing ever so nicely with the groovier drums. It's a tighter and more thumpy tone that sits well right underneath the stabbing guitar tone.
As far as production goes this project is immaculate, and was clearly made by people who understand this style of music perfectly. The highs are high but don’t make your ears bleed, and the drums, especially the toms, feel super thick. Wrong Dream is also a rarity in its genre, as the entire album just seems to have a perfect flow to it. It is not a concept album, just more so that the track listing is perfectly selected. Throw it on and before you know it is already wrapping up. A perfect album to listen to at work, and hopefully it also scares away those brutally annoying customers that inspire people to get behind guitars and scream in the first place.
- Nigel Young
