Suuns – “Paralyzer” (Singles Going Steady)

Chris Ingalls: Suitably creepy. And not just the video, which looks like David Lynch ransacking a Harmony Korine script. Parts of the song seem like they’re trying too hard to be weird, but the unique mix of low-end synth bass, off-kilter falsettos and Quaalude drum beats make this worth a listen, even if it’s just as a palate cleanser after listening to something too mainstream. [6/10]

Emmanuel Elone: “Paralyzer” was surprisingly disappointing. The song started out with a lot of potential, from the heavy electronic bass and synth to Suuns slightly manic and insane vocals. However, nothing else of note occurs for the next four and a half minutes. Instead of switching things up or reaching some sort of climax, Suuns does just enough to tease the listener into finishing the song only to be let down. “Paralyzer” could have been such a great tune; that’s what makes it such a disappointment. [3/10]

Pryor Stroud: Dissonant, moody, and itching to rip out of its own skin, Suun’s “Paralyzer” injects a series of straight-jacket mutterings into a grimy, pseudo-Lynchian sonic dystopia replete with wailing sirens and twitchy, compulsive percussion. “I just want to touch you / And feel you with my hands,” singer Ben Shemie yearns, “Give everyone a chance / Give everyone a chance.” The lines have a greedy, perverse, nearly exploitative quality to them, like this lover holds the cure to some disease that is decimating the population beneath her skin, and the singer will do anything to get it. But, once the blood is drawn and the sirens are silent, several questions remain: Is this singer intent on saving others? Or just himself? [5/10]

Chad Miller: I don’t love Shemie’s voice for this type of music, but the song itself is pretty good. Suuns still brings out a good amount of horror from the music as well as from the vague lyrics, though it occasionally risks slipping into the realm of background music. [6/10]

Suuns’ new album HOLD/STILL releases April 15th via Secretly Canadian.

SCORE: 5.00

TOUR DATES

03/12 Rouyn-Noranda, QC @ Agora des Arts

03/19 Azores Island, PT @ Tremor Festival

04/07 Sainte-Therese, QC @ Bar le Cha-Cha

04/09 Saint-Casimir, QC @ La Taverne

04/15 Quebec City, QC @ La Meduse

04/16 Carleton-sur-Mer, QC @ La Naufrageur

04/20 Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe

04/21 Ottawa, ON @ St. Alban’s Church

04/22 Toronto, ON @ Adelaide Hall

04/23 Athens, OH @ Ohio University at Casa Nueva

04/24 Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop Bar

04/26 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

04/27 Washington, DC @ DC9

04/28 New York, NY @ The Marlin Room at Webster Hall

04/29 Allston, MA @ Great Scott

05/19 Berlin, DE @ Berghain

05/20 Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg

05/21 Lille, FR @ Grand Mix

05/22 Brussels, BE @ La Nuit De Botanique Festival

05/24 London, UK @ ICA

05/27 Neustreliz, DE @ Immergut Festival

05/28 KleinReifling, AT @ Seewiesen Festival

05/30 Paris, FR @La Villette Sonique

05/31 Tours, FR @ Aucard De Tours Festival

06/01 Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound

06/03 Lourmarin, FR @Festival YEAH

06/04 Mulhouse, FR @ Noumatrouff

06/05 Mannheim, DE @ Maifield Derby Festival

06/07 Yverdon les Bains, SW @L’Amalgame

06/08 Rome, IT @ Monk

06/09 Ravenna, IT @ Beaches Brew Festival

06/17 Vancouver BC @ Imperial // Levitation Vancouver

06/25 Calgary AB @ Sled Island Festival