EP Review: Downside Salesman – Wastehaven

Chicago trio Downside Salesman began recording their debut EP ‘Wastehaven’ earlier this year – “COVID threw a wrench in the process but overall it allowed us to really fine tune the songs on this EP and brought us closer as a band,” explains drummer Alissa Wolff. Completing the line-up are Joey Schuringa (Pretty Pleased) on bass and backing vocals, and Bobby Lane (The Big Leagues) on guitar and lead vocals. On this release, they combine to deliver 3 tracks that offset power and intimacy and melodic hooks.  Wolff continues: “The songs on Wastehaven talk about struggle with change and the process of trying to do better and be better – something everyone should be striving for.”

The EP starts off innocuously enough with the rippling lilt of ‘Diagnosis Negative’, which soon thunders in on a serrated rhythm; Lane’s impassioned vocals are the right side of strained – mostly clean-cut, but with a gritty fringe that burnishes the curse words. There’s something ‘angular’ about it all that lifts it from the saturated emo pool. Which, is where the next track ‘Stupid’ anchors itself – rolling on meaty chords, a nod-inducing 3/4 beat and shrewdly rhymed, and paced, self-depricating humour: “..a  curve in my spine that leaves me every day less inclined to pick myself up off the ground..” Closing out the EP is ‘Moving On Up’, it’s ghostly and confessional opening belies the jarring pulse that Wolff lays down. Part brawn and part jangle, it culminates in a well-orchestrated breakdown/outro that revolves around a drama-streaked gang vocal “Hard days are always..Heartache is a namesake..” that resonates and fades rapturously.

Like an introverted edge to otherwise muscular, bristly arrangements? ‘Wastehaven’ is available via Bandcamp. The band also have Facebook and Instagram pages to follow.