Of course this band is from Brooklyn. Of course their photo has their faces in bags. Of course there is an exclamation point in the middle of the title and no punctuation at the end.

Blood Cultures Oh Uncertainty! A Universe Despairs (self-released)

In fact, everything about Blood Cultures makes sense . . . after the fact. The use of inconsistent recording speeds (or simulated inconsistent recording speeds, as I believe is actually the case), the casual violence of unexpected discordance, the almost non-existent song construction. All of it. It makes sense when listening to the whole.

But at first glimpse, the striking weirdness of Blood Cultures is a big ask. Nice of the band to include a short intro track that mostly sets up what follows. Not that there is a way to fully prepare for the loony adventures sponsored by these, um, pieces, but a short primer is nice.

All of which is to say that the mordant decay of this album is nothing short of thrilling. Listening to this album is kinda like falling down the steps forever. Every time the bottom seems to be approaching, the vision is a mirage and the tumble continues.

Unusual, yes, but unusually accomplished as well. Normal people will run screaming. Let them live their boring lives filled with boring music. Sonic explorers unite! The expedition begins now.

Jon Worley