East Bay Area deathrock band Normal Weirds (Justin Harlow, Trey Weird, Merry Baker-Harlow, special guest Nick aka Motherboard; Emma Weird). have finally released their anticipated 10-song debut album, Same Difference.
Same Difference speaks to the zombification process of modern times, where the vibrant essence of who we once were is dulled by the monotonous grind of adulthood and its myriad unwanted responsibilities. We begin in the present, where clarity reigns and the shadows of a tumultuous past have been dispelled through the lens of 20/20 vision. We embark upon a journey towards liberation from the chains that once bound the spirit in darkness. However, as the story unfolds, it subtly retraces its steps, hinting at the gradual erosion of self that life’s relentless march can inflict. Despite the disillusionment with the rites of passage into maturity, there’s an underlying resilience, a tacit acknowledgment that these trials, however begrudgingly faced, are navigated nonetheless.
The album unfolds as an unintended reflection of Vocalist/Bassist Justin Harlow’s life, artfully spun in reverse. This musical journey, infused with the spirit of iconic bands like the Pixies, Joy Division, Fugazi, and Peter and the Test Tube Babies, offers a unique storytelling approach. Through this reverse chronology, listeners are invited to peel back the layers of Harlow’s experiences, tracing his path from the present back to the origins, all while the band’s influences echo in the background, shaping the soundtrack of his autobiography.
“I feel like the album is about growing up in almost changing like a metamorphosis to become a better person that I was never supposed to become due to my circumstances and past. I think it’s ultimately about defying the odds and breaking free off the path that was paved for me, becoming better then those who came before me.”
Same Difference is now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. The album was engineered, mixed, and produced by Ryan Clark.
Listen below, and order here:
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