I became aware of Sundaes with the release of the single “Pretty Wife” back in the spring of 2018. In the time since, they’ve been regularly releasing songs, performing locally and regionally and, apparently, recording a good bit of material. With the release of “The First Waltz” also comes news of a debut album, entitled Sundaes Volume 1.

Not having heard the full record, it’s difficult to say if “The First Waltz” is emblematic of the whole or an outlier. What we can say is that it’s a beautifully executed ballad that registers as an honest expression regarding the mixture of fear and optimism when entering a relationship. While the choral refrain of “Are You In Love With Me?” is the most accessible inquiry, I was particularly struck by the leading line, “Don’t You Wanna Risk Everything?” Being in the position of opening up to another human being and allowing yourself to possibly be rejected, scorned or, even worse, ignored is a risky endeavor but it’s table stakes for sharing a life.

Musically, Sundaes mixes influences from various electronic and dance scenes, quality use of vocoder and a touch of ambient soundscapes. The tender landscape this creates is a delicate backing to the vulnerability portrayed in the lyrics; a deceptive feeling of minimalism that serves as a real testament to Sundae’s ability to layer a track succinctly.

Sundaes Volume 1 will be released digitally on April 3rd but you can hear it on cassette right now.

If you’re a regular listener to the WOTT Music podcast, you’ve likely heard mention of the latest from Donors multiple times. The track “Help Yourself” was included on a playlist and every subsequent episode since then has mentioned the gripping power of the whole release. Let the record show, no amount of effusive compliments could capture our appreciation for this one.

The runtime of the release clocks in just over 15-minutes and manages to maintain a dark, foreboding and forceful presence for the duration; providing only the briefest of respites during the end of lead track “Game Seven.” From that point onward, the band (comprised of the elusively and singularly named Gabby, Linda, Kathryn and Naomi) puts forth a blast of angular guitars, pounding drums and just the right amount of noise. The lyrics augment the somewhat dystopian setting with a confrontational confidence; often delivered in a way that feels like they’re cutting a path to their destination, roadblocks be damned. It’s entrancing in that “Get In Line or Be Destroyed” kinda way.

In the two years since the bands prior release (2018’s Donors, also self-titled) it’s clear that the bands core intents haven’t changed but they’ve garnered more focus and loads more intensity. From the anthemic “Help Yourself”, to the possessed “Always Sometimes Never”, to the slow burning album closer “Fine Print”, Donors (2020) is a proverbial pounding at the door; if you weren’t paying attention before, you have to be now.