For those familiar with Autonomics’ sizzling punk rock and sweaty live shows, their new album Debt Sounds may come as a bit of a surprise.
Across 11 tracks, frontman Dan Pantenburg’s melodies flutter and glow like never before, uncaging the group’s pop heart for all to see. Their no-frills songs are polished up with synth and higher fidelity all around. And the rhythm section—twin brothers Evan and Vaughn Leikam on drums and bass, respectively—is punchier than an extended remix of the video of that masked hero knocking neo-Nazi Richard Spencer in the side of the head.
With guitars distorted to the hilt and a new hook around every corner, Debt Sounds documents a band with punk ideals and an aversion to self-promotion, shedding its reticence and going for it.