The debut solo project from METZ frontman Alex Edkins is surprisingly introspective and has more of an emphasis on pop songwriting. It's looser, sunnier, and above all, Edkins seems to be having more fun this time around.
The isolated lockdown of 2020 has definitely been a factor within the process of recording new albums, where many, many, many (and many) of which have come out this year or are going to be. Alex Edkins, the singer/songwriter and one of the main driving forces of the Canadian noise punk trio METZ, is certainly one of those artists who has initiated a different perspective on things. From much of the deafening noise punk and garage rock that Sub Pop signees METZ has delivered for a decade at this point, Edkins has taken a time of reflection and decided to record new songs in a solo manner. Under the Weird Nightmare moniker, Weird Nightmare is an album that many fans of METZ will most likely enjoy. There are catchy grooves, abrasive guitars, and a knack for sticky melodies that you'd typically hear on a METZ record or single. But, what differs on Weird Nightmare is Edkins' sharper emphasis on pop songwriting on a collection of classic garage rock and pop tunes that hark back to the early garage pop, surf rock, and indie pop days. There's a lighter tone here that's not as heavily bombarding on albums like Atlas Vending or the self titled debut METZ, and infectious hooks that resonate with fans of early 2000's garage pop bands.
As retrospective as this record may seem instrumentally, Edkins seems to be looking forward to better times ahead and is grateful for who is in his life. He has a young son and is a matured father now, different from his more youthful days. Not only this, but this record sounds a lot looser and more fun than his band's work. It's to be taken less seriously and I appreciate his toned down approach here. Opener "Searching for You" is a prime example of this loose, loud, and fun party song that radiates the fun surf garage pop of acts like Wavves. Also, who knew Edkins would strum an acoustic guitar on record? "Lusitania," the album's best song, is a throwback that directly reminds me of early freeing Deerhunter records like Weird Era or Microcastle. The melodies, sunburnt guitars, and catchy vocal hooks are excellent and it's a great 2006 Deerhunter b-side in disguise. The guitar on "Sunday Driver" sounds like it could've been played by Stephen Malkmus himself on an early Pavement song. Don't be entirely fooled because there are some pummeling heavy bangers that could've snuck in onto some METZ albums too, like "Nibs" and "Darkroom."
There are even times where I had no idea Edkins could be this melancholy on a... ballad (gasp)? "Holding Out," the seven-minute long closer is in fact, a ballad from Edkins and it's performed incredibly well, as if he's been churning out ballads throughout his career (which if you've listened to a number of METZ albums, he hasn't). He's not shouting this time but softly murmuring in a deep sleep-like dream state and its progression throughout the seven minutes, which may drag a little bit but I can't help but marvel at the METZ frontman's versatile abilities here. There are a couple of guest performances from Sub Pop neighbor Bully on album highlight "Wrecked" and VanGaalen's Black Mold on "Oh No" and they both go over nicely, more so on Bully's. Overall I found Weird Nightmare to be not only a fun, loose and palpable detour for METZ fans but a collection of introspective tracks showing off Edkins as more of a pop songwriter. More than anything else, Edkins is much more interesting and versatile artist than one may initially believe on the surface.
My Rating: 7 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Lusitania," "Wrecked," "Holding Out," "Searching for You"
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