Music Review: Exit Clōv - Respond Respond - Page 2

The disco feel is back on the next track, "Moving Gaza," and is somewhat incongruous with the lyrical content, which alludes to the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The song also gives a shout-out to fellow DC artist Ris Paul Ric by naming "Purple Blaze" as the protagonist's favorite song. There is an apparent political intent in "Moving Gaza," but it is hazy and not clearly defined. It seems like the songwriter has something to say to the listener, but just when it seems like the point is about to be made, it turns self-referential and obscured.

"MK Ultra" references the CIA mind-control research program from the 1950s and 1960s called Project MKULTRA. The point of view is fashion model and radio show co-host Candy Jones who claimed to have been a victim of the CIA program. The song is able to showcase the psychedelic imagery of someone changed by mind-altering drugs while also poking a sharp stick at the perpetrators in the chorus:

and in my dreams I see colors of kaleidoscope
(in brainwashington)
and in my head I hear voices on the radio
(in brainwashington)
Respond Respond concludes with another politically themed tune, "Communist BBQ," which features the best puns on the EP:
quit yer stalin, go buy yer che shirts now
petro caribe! we'll bring the gringos down
50 years have brought us to this commie bbq
so quit yer stalin, you know the time is mao
The lyrics are laden with the politics of communism and socialism in the Americas, but delivered in a package that is easy to assimilate. Throughout Respond Respond, Exit Clōv manages to effortlessly combine heavy and thoughtful lyrical commentary with toe-tapping, head-bobbing synth-pop-rock.


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Article Author: Anna Creech

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

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