EP Review: Le Saboteur – Ditch

‘Ditch’, the debut EP from Le Saboteur, arrives on 3^rd April via Paper Street Cuts. Hailing from San Diego, the trio features members of Ash Williams, FLAUNT and Christ Killer, and had Ben Moore (Hot Snakes, Tera Melos, Switchfoot) at the helm for the recording and engineering of this release.

The hook of the band is in their simplistic sensibilities – drums, bass, guitar and vocals is all that’s required to construct the scuzz-pop on offer within the 6 tracks that make up ‘Ditch’.  Flashy drums and whirring guitars announce opener ‘Smiling Politely’, before a pulsing, surf-style bassline carries the track alternately on waves of ringing, buzzing chords and twinkling wig-outs. ‘Key/Knife’ bounds along until it breaks into a snarl of whipping cymbals and thrashing strings against the refrain: “What did you need from me?”

Standout track ‘Tightrope’ rumbles and clatters vibrantly; a racket of a breakdown sees guitarist/vocalist Michelle Pannell wringing both jarring bends from the fretboard and her own desperate appeals: “I’d give my mind, I’d give my soul..” she howls. ‘Distant Hum’ is all about anticipation – a thick, humming progression with an instant melody finally concedes and morphs into an effective post-grunge workout. ‘Sleight of Hand’ presents a punkier, noiser, and ultimately weaker side of the band, before the sonic fullness of ‘Safety Net’ closes out the EP in a dynamic crescendo.

Like emotive, melodic garage rock carrying alt vibes? ‘Ditch’ is available through Bandcamp.

Follow Le Saboteur on their Facebook and Instagram pages.