“Microwave Rhapsody” by Pynch is a philosophical yet euphoric dive into existentialism, delivered with slacker-rock swagger and a lo-fi pulse. As the final single ahead of their upcoming album Beautiful Noise (out October 3 via Chillburn Recordings), it sets the tone with krautrock drums, pulsating basslines, and bursts of distortion that feel both chaotic and strangely comforting. Pynch does not have all the answers, so how could you possibly have them as well? In this sense, there is a belonging and community amongst the artists and fan community who relate to having to ask themselves, “What is next?” The track opens with a traditional rock vocal that anchors the existential dread in lines like “Can you count on something,” capturing the quiet panic of young people staring down an uncertain future. It’s a DIY reimagining of 1970s New York, art-punk ambition colliding with bedroom-recording intimacy.
Still, there’s a careful balance across the instrumentation that complements the intensity of the vocals. Each sonic element, whether it’s the rhythmic drive, the ambient fuzz, or the melodic fragments, feels deliberately placed to support rather than compete with the emotional weight of the lyrics. Recorded in part with Andy Ramsey of Stereolab and finished in the band’s Brixton home studio, “Microwave Rhapsody” plays a key role in the album’s narrative arc. It is a standout track that is beautiful yet subtly references Rhapsody in not only storytelling but also in the execution of the song.
Written by Nthatile Mavuso
