Strange luck unfolds
Some bands are simply too cool to give you everything upfront. The Portland-based group How Strange It Is is a prime example, playing coy about their debut album while hinting at the sonic depth they’ve managed to achieve.
Instead of releasing their first record under the title To Be Anything At All, the band opts for the more enigmatic There Is No Evil. This choice immediately sets a tone of mystery, suggesting that the music itself is more compelling than any simple label.
The way they introduced the project with their lead single, “Slime,” was a masterstroke. It manages to coat the inherently plucky blend of Shins-meets-AnCo pop-rock in a successful shoegaze exterior. The result is a sound that promises both melodic sweetness and a dreamy, hazy depth—a combination that is poised to be incredibly worthwhile.
For those already digging the sound, the latest preview, “Tough Luck,” offers another tantalizing glimpse into their creative space. It carries a certain melancholic weight, channeling the atmosphere of artists like Sparklehorse and Alex G, proving that How Strange It Is isn’t just making catchy tunes; they are weaving an evocative sonic tapestry.
It’s clear that this Portland combo is operating on a higher creative level, using ambiguity not as a tactic, but as an invitation. They’ve managed to craft a debut that feels both immediately accessible and deeply layered, hinting at the kind of indie-rock sleeper cell activation we all look for.
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