Review: Junior Rocket Scientist Blurs Lines Between Neo-Psych and Post-Rock on Debut Album ‘Mu’

You’ve really got to listen to Idaho post-punk collective Junior Rocket Scientist’s newest work Mu from start to finish in order to fully absorb it. With Britt Glenn on vocals, guitar and viola, Brian Anglin on bass and Christopher Smith on drums, Mu is able to pull out a complex, unique, and at times spooky and dissonant sound, all while keeping a distinct and infectious tone.

The LP starts off with the song “What You Want To,” where drums and a driving bass line start a progression of complex guitar additions, which eventually leads to a full on psych-rock jam. The track ends with a fade out-of sorts that transitions into the next song, and my personal favorite off the album, “Why,” nicely.

“Why” opens with spooky vocals clouded in effects. Britt packs so much questioning and haunting uncertainty into the deliverance of his lyrics, while the bass and drums do an excellent job keeping the tone as well. The song eventually fades out with feedback and haunting silence.

The album ends with “Boredom” and “++–,” a combined 7-minute jam that begins with vocals, but quickly progresses to highlight each of the instrumentalists in the band. “Boredom” and “++–” almost have a Godspeed You! Black Emperor vibe to them, with their dark and complex expansive post-rock odysseys, parts of which highlight Britt Glenn on the viola while other parts of the two tracks are simply Junior Rocket Scientist’s members messing around with feedback and effects.

Overall, Mu has been one of the better projects I’ve listened to in a while. I was originally struck by the haunting sound the band was able to create, but with more plays, I realized that Junior Rocket Scientist’s newest project was unique also for its variety of styles and complexity, all while staying true to their sound, which they masterfully establish on Mu.

(Mu is available via Junior Rocket Scientist’s Bandcamp page for $7, and can be streamed below.)