| Consolation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | June 15, 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 14:11 | |||
| Label | Domino | |||
| Producer | Protomartyr | |||
| Protomartyr chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Consolation | ||||
| ||||
Consolation is an EP released by the American band Protomartyr in 2018. It features Kelley Deal on two of its four tracks [1] and was released to critical acclaim from several sources. [2]
Mark Deming of AllMusic described the EP as a "powerful and forbidding marriage of dynamic guitar-based rock and impassioned beat-inspired lyrics that painted a vivid portrait of a chaotic world." [3] "Protomartyr’s new Consolation EP" writes Pitchfork's Jenn Pelly, "continues the discernibly politicized streak of Relatives in Descent—which also touched on Trumpism and Flint, Michigan’s water crisis." [1]
The first half of the EP consists of two songs composed by Protomartyr themselves. The opener "Wait" "rumbles and bursts with the crescendoing ring of an alarm clock." [1] The chorus of the track has been described as "anthemic" [1] and has been compared to The Jesus Lizard and The Fall (Michael James Hall cites the track as proof of the band's influence on "vital" contemporary bands such as Shame and Idles.) [4] Casey's lyrics on it have been described as "relatively abstracted verses, with lines about “a pair of fellas…punching the life out of each other” and “ironic T-shirts wet with blood.”" [1] “Same Face in a Different Mirror” has been described as "atmospheric post-punk" and compared to Joy Division. [5] Deming called it "that rare number from this band that expresses something approaching hope", [3] a sentiment echoed in part by Hall who wrote that the track "staggers, swaggering and sputtering, slyly slipping in unmistakable melodies and the odd moment of kindness." [4] Pelly described the track's theme as "a rumination on stagnant, grim parts of society coming into focus". [1]
The second half of the EP consists of two songs featuring Kelley Deal. [6] The first one, "Wheel of Fortune", was co-written by Deal and released as a single before the EP's release. The track begins with an "anxiety-inducing guitar squeal [which] gives way to a gothic fairytale, warped Disney soundscape" and has been described as "a world-ender of a song, batting away the horror with one hand, drawing it closer to the heart with the other." [4] It then "abruptly and thrillingly shifts midway to a more dirge-like groove, before switching back." [7] The track "details the grotesque waking nightmare of systematic oppression in America, which ensures some people have less a chance at survival—be it from police brutality, poisoned water, global warming, white supremacy, patriarchy, religious groups, or (as the title suggests) the predatory industry of gambling." [1] Casey and Deal sing the "startling" [5] chorus of “I decide who lives and who dies” together. [1] The final track "You Always Win" was arranged by Deal, who also provided vocals. It has been described as a "delicately aslant closer" [1] and a "far less direct but still affecting duet" [8] in which "Deal's comparatively soothing backup vocals [...] enthrallingly contrast with [...] vocalist Joe Casey's gruff, Nick-Cave-meets-Mark-Kozelek speak-sing delivery." [7] It has been called "a standout not just on the EP but in Protomartyr's canon". [2] The track features viola, cello and bass clarinet, the use of which has been compared to that of the band Fucked Up. [5] The instrumentation gives an "otherworldly, timeless vibe that clashes with Protomartyr's pummelling post-punk playing until inspired sparks fly." [7] The lyrics are "an apparent comment on mortality, on growing “weak” and “grey” with another person." [1]
The EP was released through Domino Recording Company in the US, UK and Europe. [9] The track "Wheel of Fortune" was released as a single on the 3rd of May 2018. Its video, made available on YouTube, was directed by Yoonha Park (who had also directed the video for the single "Don't Go To Anacita" from their previous album). It has been described as "an amalgamation of bleak, violent imagery [...] A pulsing skull, a charging, electrified sword, a girl coloring in her entire face with cherry red lipstick, roughly scrapping [sic] your knuckle against a brick wall, punching yourself in the face, giving a thumbs up while your hand is on fire flash [...] The general vibe is spooky Halloween apocalypse." [10]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.6/10 [11] |
| Metacritic | 81/100 [2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [3] |
| DIY | [8] |
| Drowned in Sound | 8/10 [5] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10 [7] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8/10 [12] |
| OndaRock | 7/10 [13] |
| Pitchfork | 7.7/10 [1] |
| Popmatters |   [14] |
| The Skinny | [15] |
| Under the Radar | [4] |
The EP has received "universal acclaim" according to Metacritic, with a score of 81/100 based on 8 reviews. [2] The last two tracks in particular were very well received by numerous publications [1] [5] [4] Despite calling it "a stopgap four-song EP and not the group's next major statement", Deming wrote: "There are not a lot of bands who do what Protomartyr does, and even if there were, the skill and fury of their music would still set them apart, and Consolation is a brief but potent reminder that they're a force to be reckoned with." [3] "Protomartyr has yet to let us down," writes Maria Schurr, "and Consolation assures that they aren't going to anytime soon." [16] Kylie Mullin called it "one of 2018's most unique offerings. Rumour has it Protomartyr will soon flip the scenario and produce a forthcoming release by Deal and her R. Ring bandmates. After hearing their vivid chemistry on Consolation E.P., you'll instantly anticipate that next Deal-Protomartyr teamup." [7]
Brooklyn Vegan ranked it the best EP of the year. [17]
All tracks are written by Protomartyr except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wait" | 2:10 | |
| 2. | "Same Face in a Different Mirror" | 2:48 | |
| 3. | "Wheel of Fortune" | Protomartyr, Kelley Deal | 5:16 |
| 4. | "You Always Win" | 3:57 | |
| Total length: | 14:11 | ||
Protomartyr
Additional musicians
Other
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [18] | 50 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [19] | 13 |
Kelley Deal is an American musician and singer. She has been the lead guitarist and co-vocalist of the alternative rock band the Breeders since 1992, and has formed her own side-projects with bands such as R. Ring and the Kelley Deal 6000. She is the identical twin sister of the musician Kim Deal.
Drop Nineteens is an American, Boston-based shoegaze band active from 1991 to 1995. They were one of the few U.S.-based bands who styled themselves on England's distinctive shoegaze sound, taking their inspiration from bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Th' Faith Healers, and Bleach.
Common Sage is an American emo band based in Brooklyn, New York. Formed on Staten Island in 2018, the band has released two albums and one EP. Members include Julian Rosen on vocals and guitar, Chris Johns on guitar and bass guitar, and Phil DiMarco on drums.
The Wonder Years is an American rock band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, formed in July 2005. The band currently consists of Dan "Soupy" Campbell, Casey Cavaliere, Matt Brasch, Josh Martin, Nick Steinborn and Mike Kennedy. They have released seven full-length albums, two EPs, and several splits/compilations. The group is currently signed to Hopeless Records. Their name originates from a paper that Campbell read that was written by one of his after-school educators titled "The Wonder Years."
The Vacant Lots are an American post-punk electro band based in Brooklyn, New York.
Sainthood Reps is an American indie rock band from Long Island, New York, formed in 2009. Their debut album, Monoculture, was released on Tooth & Nail Records in the summer of 2011 and was produced by Mike Sapone. The band released their second album, Headswell, in October 2013 through No Sleep Records.
Speedy Ortiz is an American indie rock band from Northampton, Massachusetts, United States. Originally a solo project for founder Sadie Dupuis, from 2011 a full band incarnation has released three EPs and three LPs mostly on Carpark Records. As of 2022, the band consists of Dupuis, Audrey Zee Whitesides, Andy Molholt, and Joey Doubek.
Protomartyr is an American post-punk band formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 2010. The band consists of Joe Casey (vocals), Greg Ahee (guitar), Alex Leonard (drums), and Scott Davidson (bass). In 2020, Kelley Deal joined the band in a touring capacity, providing additional keyboards, guitar and backing vocals.
Sadie Dupuis is an American musician who is the guitarist, lead vocalist and lyricist for the band Speedy Ortiz and formerly for the band Quilty. She has also released two solo albums, Slugger and Haunted Painting, under the name Sad13. Dupuis has published two books of poetry. A portrait of her was featured on the August 22, 2022 cover of The New Yorker.
Under Color of Official Right is the second album by Detroit post punk band Protomartyr. It was released on April 8, 2014 by Hardly Art.
The Agent Intellect is the third studio album by Detroit post-punk band Protomartyr, released on 9 October 2015. The first single from the album, "Why Does It Shake" was released on 14 July 2015, along with the formal announcement of the album's title, release date, cover art and track listing. On 25 August the band released the second single for the album, "Dope Cloud". on 28 September the band released the third single for the album, "I Forgive You". On September 28, 2015 the album debuted on NPR First Listen.
Melina Mae Cortez Duterte, better known by her stage name Jay Som, is an American, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and mixing engineer. Her debut record Everybody Works was released on Double Denim Records & Polyvinyl Records in March 2017, which was preceded by Turn Into, a collection of songs that first gained her attention as a singer-songwriter. The follow-up to Everybody Works and Jay Som's second home studio album, Anak Ko, was released on August 23, 2019 via Polyvinyl, Lucky Number, and Inertia.
Relatives in Descent is the fourth studio album by American post-punk band Protomartyr released on 29 September 2017. Their first to be released through Domino Recording Company, the album is much darker and more philosophical than its predecessors. While lyrically not a concept album, it is produced so that many songs flow from one to another seamlessly. Relatives in Descent received critical acclaim upon release, with many publications ranking it one of the best albums of the year.
Yawn Mower are an American rock band from Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Portrayal of Guilt is an American hardcore punk band formed in Austin, Texas in 2017. It was founded by guitarist/vocalist Matt King, bassist Blake Given, and drummer James Beveridge.
The Vaughns are an indie pop rock band from New Jersey.
No Passion All Technique is the debut album by American post-punk band Protomartyr. Released through Urinal Cake Records in 2012, the album went quickly out of print and subsequently became a "collector's item". In May 2019, the band reissued the album with bonus tracks.
Infant Island is an American screamo band formed in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2016. The band consists of vocalist Daniel Kost, guitarists Alexander Rudenshiold and Winston Givler, bassist Kyle Guerra, and drummer Austin O'Rourke.
Ultimate Success Today is the fifth studio album by American post-punk band Protomartyr. Thematically inspired by lead singer Joe Casey's mid-life crisis in the wake of the band's debut being reissued, the album - conceived as a "valediction" of the band's first decade together - was recorded in 2019 at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hurley, New York with the help of producer David Tolomei. The sessions saw the band playing and recording as a single unit, even to the extent of following similar daily routines. It also notably features collaborations with a number of guest musicians such as Jemeel Moondoc and Fred Lonberg-Holm. The lyrics, mostly written by Casey on the spot, have been described as dark and apocalyptic; while the music has been found to be subtler and more dynamic than the band's past releases.
Joseph Kevin Barry Casey is an American musician based out of Detroit, best known as the lead vocalist & lyricist of post-punk band Protomartyr. He is known for his distinctive vocal style, "anti-charisma[tic]" stage presence, and sardonic, literary lyrics which often incorporate philosophical themes. He is also responsible for creating the band's visual aesthetic.