Stay Frosty

In their official bio, the members of Emperors say they’re unlikely to become Pitchfork darlings because they’re "stuck in their own bubble of musical influences.” But judging by their 2012 debut album, Stay Frosty, it’s obvious that a.) they’re selling themselves short, and b.) they have an awesome bubble of influences. The opening song, “Be Ready When I Say Go,” blends the best of '90s noise-rock into one song. Over big fuzzy walls of guitar distortion reminiscent of Sebadoh’s louder moments, Adam Livingston sings like a young Doug Martsch. Then, squiggly guitar leads recall Thurston Moore attacking his fretboard with a drumstick while his left foot convulses over a wah-wah pedal. “Song of the Year” sounds somewhat like Superchunk with slightly tamed guitar feedback, winding chords, and Livingston laying into nasal inflections like Mac McCaughan. With bass player Zoe Worrall-James piping in on “Plastic Guns,” the song rocks out like a heavier Velocity Girl. But the chemistry between Livingston and Worrall-James gives Emperors an excitement and tension that’s entirely their own.