Somewhere between the influences of alt-90s, brashy 00s melodic rock and post-rock lies the debut single, Paranoid, by the Texan five-piece, Topdown. Straight out of Austin, the band arrive with a sound that feels volatile, wired, and ready to snap, setting the precedent for a release that thrives on tension.
Distortion crashes into the contours of the intro without hesitation, dragging you into a quiescent break where breathy vocals hang over angular, indie new wave-esque guitars like a warning you’re about to ignore. That restraint never lasts long. The intensity surges forward; the chameleonic vocals keep pace effortlessly, twisting into ragged screams that carry a real sense of vindicating volition.
When the choruses hit, Topdown lock into a sludgy, earwormy, seductive magnetism that feels almost physical. It’s the kind of pull that Deftones have built a legacy on. It just drags you under. By the time the outro lands, getting caught in it feels inevitable. The track spirals into one of the most visceral aural experiences you’re likely to hear from an independent artist this year. There’s no cleaner way to put it, it’s carnal carnage.
Topdown have already started pushing beyond their initial footing, expanding their sound and line-up while leaning into heavier, stranger territory. With their upcoming EP set to widen that scope even further, Paranoid has distinguished Topdown as a band the industry can’t ignore. If awards were handed out on sonic dynamism alone, Topdown would be riding high.
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Review by Amelia Vandergast