Blending 80s post-punk, 90s indie rock/pop, alt-rock, and shoegaze, Chicago outfit Speed Therapy’s “Disruption” opens with this nostalgic early-2000s kind of vibe, almost like a PlayStation intro. The synths are glistening and really pretty, and when the guitar comes in, it feels thick and warm. The voice during the verses is super soothing, almost like someone reading poetry over the textures. The writing is good overall, and there’s this soft, nostalgic feel that really works for them.
The lyrics land especially well here:
“Come, eclipse my open eyes — wrap me up, and I’ll say night. Ring me up and call collect, hold me down and ring my neck, quiet ends make me still, make me stay, I’m so tired…”
The chorus is high-energy but still somehow chill at the same time – honestly, the kind of song I’d love to hear at a DIY house show/party. Speed Therapy, being from the iconic windy city, makes sense too; they’re refreshing in the same way the polar plunge in Lake Michigan is refreshing. The chorus even reminds me a bit of Smashing Pumpkins (which is funny considering they’re also from Chicago), but the vocals lean more toward The Cure.
When the distortion hits in the breakdown, the guitar work becomes the main standout of the whole track. The thick, high-gain tone mixed with the synths creates this massive wall of sound that pulls you in completely. And because of that, when things drop down into the buildup before the final chorus, the impact feels really strong.
For the most part, the mix is solid. It’s definitely guitar-forward, which fits what they’re going for, but my only quarrel is wanting more bass — both in presence and variation. Still, that’s not uncommon for this style, so it doesn’t take too much away. I’d also love to hear them push their vocal melodies a little further in the verses, just to match the intensity of the instrumentals.
The drums bring a good amount of energy, though I would like to see if they could take the fills and dynamics a bit further. Even so, they keep the song moving in a satisfying way. Overall, it’s a solid track that any post-punker should check out!
Overall: 7/10.
Written by John Drifter (drifting.) (IG: @drifting.musically)
