“Up next we have a little treat for you, a few new songs from newcomer Mac Demarco”… This debut EP / mini-LP sounds unlike anything else in Mac Demarco's discography. While his releases have grown increasingly earnest over the years, culminating in 2017’s remarkably vulnerable This Old Dog, Rock And Roll Night Club sees Mac trying on an assortment of colorful wigs (and lipstick); playing like Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Presley trading bars high as hell in the studio with R. Stevie Moore and DJ Screw. Mac sings in a husky, breathy voice over minimal 4-track arrangements that sound like they’ve been bounced to ferric cassette and left in the sun for a few days. The progenitors (and direct influences) of Mac’s sound are on full display here: “I’m A Man” sees Mac at his most Ariel Pink. “She’s Really All I Need” is the closest you’ll get to hearing what we now know to be Mac’s *real* voice, albeit sung in the style of Atlas Sound or Deerhunter circa 2009. But that’s not a bad thing. It’s cool to hear one of the most reliable songwriters of our time veering so far out. Discogs prices for this record have been rising as rapidly as dad hat sales in recent years, and Captured Tracks come through to save the day with the sweet repress action. This 2018 edition adds two tracks not found on the original pressing: “Me And Mine” and “Only You” (one of the sickest MDM songs we’ve heard) with code for digital download. Recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• 2018 repress w/ 2 additional tracks
• digital download included
• music label: Captured Tracks 2018

reviewed by hannibal chew 03/2018