Slumshine - "Slumlord" EP Review!!

It's now time for our 143rd monthly CD review at The Sault Metal Scene, and we're back to new albums on this increasingly warm month, specifically by looking at local punk solo project Slumshine's second album "Slumlord"! Independently released to their Bandcamp page on May 6th, this EP is currently exclusive to that digital platform, though Slumshine did tease another cassette tape album release in February on Facebook, which could see "Slumlord" included in some form. Despite their use of plural pronouns (like we & us), Slumshine are solely represented by These Magnificent Tentacles frontman Brenton Ellis, clad in his requisite pink ski mask. You can buy "Slumlord" above for $5, and while it can be streamed for free on Bandcamp, consider buying it to support Brent's work! Featuring five songs running for just 11 minutes in length, this'll be a quicker review, but let's get it going!

Compared to Slumshine's all-acoustic debut album "SLMSHN" (which I have not reviewed yet), this EP immediately comes across as more experimental, courtesy of the 39 seconds long opening track "Avernus". This sounds like Brent left the recording equipment going in another room during a rehearsal, before ending with some loud effects, and honestly, it's barely a song. The first proper track (if still short) is "Pink Clouds of Destiny", which starts off as an acoustic instrumental before some om chanting helps transition into electric instrumentation, albeit maintaining the same guitar melody of the first half. I like how it sounds, and the guitar work fits both tones, but this feels like the introduction to a heavier punk song, moreso than it's own composition. Third is "BiPolaris", which is the first song on offer with proper lyrics, and those seem to grapple with mental health issues.

This song is thematically closer to the "SLMSHN" tape than most other songs on "Slumlord", but Brent does sing in more of a softer affected vocal tone here, until the backing vocals kick in late. The lyrics (complete with American national anthem allusions) seem to come from a personal place, but compared to their more punk leaning debut, this falls short for my preferences. Fourth is the EP's shortest song, entitled "Fuck You! Pay Me!", and despite the explicit (and presumably ironic) title, it is just a soft acoustic guitar instrumental number. It sounded pretty to be sure, but it's 35 seconds long. The EP's title track "Slumlord" is next, and I reckon it's about Brent experiencing the light in various forms. At it's base level, this is an acoustic song, but spacey post-production effects are layered over the track that can be distracting at first, but I got used to them by the end. 

This is probably my favourite song on this EP, and if stripped down without the spacey effects, it feels like it's ready for live performances! There is some good passion to Brent's singing as it goes, but the lyrical structure can be a little repetitive. "Slumlord" closes with it's longest track, "M'Guts", which runs for a blistering 3:09. Seemingly about wanting to get a fresh start & working towards a more ideal future, the title appears to reference giving your heart and soul to accomplish something, if with more graphic detail. This song is electric (though sans drums) and is arguably the most "punk" song on offer, but the production doesn't really emphasize the guitar work, as it takes a very quiet back seat role in the mix, already not helped without audible percussion. The backing vocals feel tacked on too. Overall, "M'Guts" has solid lyrics & a strong base for genre fans, but it doesn't sound finished.

So, what are my final thoughts on Slumshine's new EP? I like where it's going, but it feels unfinished. As music, I appreciate that Brent wanted to experiment beyond the acoustic punk-only sound of "SLMSHN", but that can be a mixed blessing. I haven't reviewed that original tape on the SMS yet, but it's a longer release in spite of it's acoustic trappings, which is why I speculated that "Slumlord" would only end up being one side of their teased new cassette tape. Beyond that, the music here is definitely more varied and creative in structure and instrumentation, and while I applaud that (especially on the title track once I acclimated to the effects), I'd have done more. "M'Guts" could really use drums & a more even mix, the softer affected vocals on "BiPolaris" weren't my thing, "Pink Clouds of Destiny" feels like an introduction more than it's own song, and the two 35+ second tracks don't add a lot of their own.

If the plan is to make this side A of the "SllMSHN" tape, then the story is obviously unfinished (remember, their other new song "Believe In Hugs" is not on "Slumlord"), but on it's own, this EP is a neat change of pace from their debut that seems to come from a more personal place of Brent's. For my personal genre preferences, their debut album is stronger and leans more into traditional punk (albeit acoustic), but there's stuff to like on "Slumlord", so give it a listen or buy it at the above links!

I hope you guys liked this month's CD review, but what will we be reviewing on the site in June 2021? I don't know yet, but our next "Where Are The New Albums?" post on or around June 2nd will give some hints as to possible upcoming albums. If no new major hard rock/metal/punk albums come out in time, we'll dip into the archives, but next month's review will not be of anything by Swampgut or As It Stands due to our 6 month anti-bias buffer rule. Given the reports about things slowly re-opening in many parts of Canada and the USA, just a reminder that, if there were concerts to tie things in with, and nothing new came out, I would try to tie in archive reviews with artists from those albums who happened to play live with their current projects in the same month (which we last did for Redefined in September). That will still be an option when shows resume, whenever that is. That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news and notes next week! Thanks everyone!