Lifeguard - Ripped and Torn

Chicago's Lifeguard barrel through twelve tracks of utter mayhem on their debut album 'Ripped and Torn', a collection that feels like rifling through a teenager's record collection that spans from Factory Records deep cuts to noise compilation cassettes found in charity shop bargain bins.

The album opens with 'A Tightwire', setting the template for what's to come - raw energy filtered through a prism of varied influences. By the time 'It Will Get Worse' kicks in, the band's command of earworm melodies amid lo-fi pandemonium becomes clear. There's an infectious enthusiasm here that makes even their messiest of moments engaging.

Between the feedback-drenched 24-second interlude of 'Me and My Flashes' and the keyboard-drowning intro of 'Under Your Reach', Lifeguard demonstrate an eagerness to experiment that's to their credit. 'How to Say Deisar' channels dance-punk energy reminiscent of The Rapture, while 'Music for 3 Drums' embraces playful percussion with the abandon of kids discovering their parents' garage band equipment.