Oakland’s Heavy Lifter describe their sound as “queer post-bubblegum slut grunge,” a descriptor that begins to make perfect sense the moment you press play on their new single, “Control.” The track, released via the band’s local label Cherub Dream Records, carries a distinct, woozy slowcore quality that feels both intimate and expansive.
The music creeps along with a deliberate, hypnotic pace, reminiscent of a slow burn created in tandem with Doug Dulgarian. Frontperson Ren Forest, who developed their musical sensibilities within the Seattle DIY scene, brings a sweet, tuneful vocal delivery to the track that echoes the melodic sensibilities of bands like Great Grandpa.
The lyrics are compelling from the start, grounding the atmospheric production in raw, relatable emotion. “I remember when my love was too strong / Overflowing like a river in a flood,” Forest sings. “Taking out all the houses all the trees i’m full of mud / Can’t see clearly, can’t think clearly, I’m all gone.”
The band recently took to Instagram to offer a concise summary of the song’s thematic core, noting that “love is difficult but it’s always worth it.” With “Control,” Heavy Lifter continues to prove their ability to blend grunge-adjacent grit with profound emotional vulnerability.
