Almost three years ago, we clued you in to a band called A Troop of Echoes, trading in the a noisy kind of post rock that was immediately appealing and engaging. Now, we’re back with news from members of that ensemble and another project of theirs, namely Public Policy. This time around, the lads have turned up the noise rock influences, added in a dash of early Foo Fighters vibe, a vocalist and plenty of fuzzy and produced Human Resource, a bouncy and raucous album. It explores the spaces between pop sludge, noise and post-hardcore to an admirable degree, never forgetting to set its sights on approachable and enjoyable music. We’re streaming it in full just below so get on it!

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“Trawlers”, the opening track, is a hazy and somewhat melancholic note but the fun really begins on the second track. “Alluvial Cuts” is a thing of beauty, making excellent use of the tension between the vocals and the bass in a way which reminds us of Floor, being Torche‘s thicker sibling. While the exploding energy of Torche isn’t something Public Policy immediately rely on, their emphasis on tone, vocal inflection and the breadth of their groove section make the comparison almost obvious. However, Public Policy are all about channeling these influences through a mirror darkly, adding a veneer of post-hardcore that completes the image.

This is the milieu in which Human Resources operates in but there’s something distinctly unique in the sound it ends up producing. It’s something in the middle of these influences but also possessive of its own voice and vibe, making it more than just a carbon copy. You can head on over to the Bandcamp link above to grab it, as it releases today. If you’re a fan of raspy, thick and vaguely dark music, this is an album for you.