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System Corporation - Album Review: Foundation & Method

09 Aug 2023 // A review by Kerry MB

Hailing from Hamilton, System Corporation is an eclectic indie rock outfit that definitely colour outside the lines and execute it well.

Foundation & Method is their debut album and if you’re looking for a solid, out of the box sound with fantastic production and arrangement, you need to jump on this now.

To sum it up, take everything you’ve heard of before, then subtract that, because that is exactly what System Corporation sound like. Not afraid to cross pollinate the genre and sub-genres of indie rock and alternative, they have put together one of the most refreshingly unique albums I’ve heard of this subsect this year.

Trust me when I say this isn’t a background album. You need to present to soak everything in. The way in which each track lends itself individually yet cohesively is pretty hard to find, but System Corporation seem to understand this, and it really is a solid piece of art they have created here.

Take some of these song titles, like Hangs With The Hares, Hunts With The Hounds, and Confessional, both easily stand out tracks. The former draws you in with a solid, jangly guitar riff, great tempo, and rich vocals, bolstered with some solid backing vocals. There is the kind of euphoric vibe reminiscent of The Polyphonic Spree, but that’s where the comparisons stop, because you’re quickly snapped into another world where it becomes progressively heavier, the riffs more driving and urgent. It’s an amazing blend.

The latter, Confessional, is on a different path. Hushed vocals, more instrumental, it has a Nine Inch Nails touch to it, a brief interlude into the second to last track and it feels like it belongs as a hidden track. Coming in at only 2.52, it is my favourite for its darker tones and ambience.

So, what better way than to put a track like Reminders of Mankind next. Another solid driving riff throughout, more rock than indie sounding. Catchy vocals, the right amount of space to let the song breathe.

An outstanding debut for System Corporation and again, one you need to jump in on. Something great has happened here and you don’t want to be left behind. I look forward to what’s next.

 

About System Corporation

A dystopian Post Punk band from Aotearoa.

They released their debut album Foundation & Method in July of 2023.

System Corporation is a collaborative songwriting and recording project based around songs written by Phil Somervell, mashed together with tracks written by the Newth brothers.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for System Corporation

Releases

Foundation & Method
Year: 2023
Type: Album

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