With their unfussy approach and tuneful lo-fi appeal, Philadelphia indie punk trio
Cayetana won over legions of fans and critics with their 2014 debut, Nervous Like Me. Following an EP and a split-single with similarly minded Australian trio,
Camp Cope, singer/guitarist Augusta Koch, bassist Allegra Anka, and drummer Kelly Olsen return with 2017's
New Kind of Normal, an unflinchingly candid sophomore effort that takes aim at stigmas surrounding mental health. Rather than coming across as wounded and melancholic, Koch's fiery missives are buoyed by their utter relatability and the emotional strength of her raw delivery. Rousing standouts like "Am I Dead Yet?," "Too Old for This," and lead single "Mesa" are rife with punchy riffs and hooky melodies as
Cayetana celebrate the messiness of life, love, relationships, and self-image. Tones of '90s indie and riot grrrl inform the band's classic power trio arrangements, which are once again recorded and produced by Matt Schimelfenig. With this release, they show significant creative growth both as players and songwriters while maintaining much of the warmth and fun of their debut, which can be a tough trick pull off.
Cayetana are proof that feeling down isn't so bad when you've got company, and
New Kind of Normal is a first-rate companion. [
New Kind of Normal was also released on LP.] ~ Timothy Monger