As one of the current leaders in Seattle's revitalized music scene, Black Ends has released a record that along with their previous EPs and stupefying live performances, proves that they are the next band to once again redefine the mainstream. 

Let's dive into how band members Ben Swanson (bass), Billie Paine (drums), and Nicolle Swims (guitar & vocals) have crafted an album you certainly should not skip.

Side one of the project kicks off with hyperactive, hypnotic songs that fully encompass the energy of their explosive live shows. The opening track, “She Speaks” is an example of how Black Ends are not afraid to show off their eclectic influences of rock, funk, and jazz, all wrapped together with their signature gunky sound. Most bands would play it safe and just put out Grunge song number 3000, but right out of the gate, Black Ends prove to be fearless in their approach by testing their audience’s musical tolerance. 

“She Speaks” is immediately followed by the album’s currently most streamed single, “Bent,” a headbanger that exemplifies how the group can produce a hooky song without losing any of their integrity as alternative masterminds. Make sure to watch their darkly humorous music video on YouTube. 

The music then takes a turn with “Pour Me.” Instead of continuing with another mosh-pit-inducing song, this track calms things down with a moody dance number that entranced fans to sway during their most recent performance at Neumos. The chorus’ lyrics speak volumes about the record’s theme of self-doubt during moments of triumph. When Swims eerily sings “It's a waste of time,” they are giving a candid look into the mind of an artist who is willing to express themselves in an emotionally provocative way without worrying about anyone’s critiques but their own. 

On side two, Black Ends’ B-sides are still A-side caliber. The song that stands out is “Black’s Lullaby.” Self-described by Swims as “their favorite single” and better than “Bent,” the ballad features Cellist Lori Goldston, most famous for performing with Nirvana during their 1993 ‘In Utero’ tour and their iconic MTV Unplugged show. 

Goldston’s appearance is mainly a tribute to her as an accomplished composer and has less to do with being another Nirvana-type band. While Swims has expressed their admiration for Kurt Cobain as a pop culture icon, what makes Black Ends unique is how they avoid the easy route of merely copying the sound of Nirvana, but instead carry on the ethos set by Cobain of creating powerful music for themselves, regardless of who likes it or not. 

The record continues with fantastic moments such as the frantic intro to “Red Worry,” likely inspired by The Jesus Lizard, and the fever dream-esque closer “Bye-Bye.” 

Anyone who may have thought Black Ends were merely a one-and-done band with their hit single “Stay Evil” has been proven wrong by the band’s new release. ‘Psychotic Spew’ has raised the bar for the Seattle scene and will go down as a classic album for the ages.