Denude – A Murmuration Of Capitalist Bees LP (Expert Work Records, Dipterid Records)

Denude’s A Murmuration Of Capitalist Bees is one of those debut full-lights that immediately grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go long after it ends. Hailing from the intersection of Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI, this outfit, composed of members from Piglet, Murder In The Red Barn, Fuiguirnet, and Credentials, distills decades of underground post-hardcore, noise rock, and post-rock sensibilities into a seething, urgent, and beautifully orchestrated collection of sound. From the first notes and beats, it becomes apparent that Denude understands the balance between chaos and structure, subtlety and force. The interplay between melodic singing and powerful shouts feels natural as if each approach were merely different manifestations of the same emotional current. There’s no forced aggression, no artificial melodrama, just an earnest, expertly navigated spectrum of expression. Whether crooning or bellowing, the vocals are never an afterthought, they serve as the emotional anchor that holds the album’s shifting dynamics together.

The guitars shimmer, scrape and detonate in equal measure. Jangly, clean tones interweave through passages of discordant fury, transitioning into moments of breathtaking beauty. Every progression, every layered melody, every deliberately placed harmonic feels so intentional and never excessive. The texture and tone are as crucial to the identity of this record as the notes themselves, distorted yet crystalline, harsh yet warm. This record exists on contrasts, and that’s more than evident in guitar work. Beneath the soaring and slashing six-string theatrics, the bass provides a sturdy yet dynamic foundation. Warm, intricate basslines wind their way through these compositions, never settling for accompaniment. Instead, the bass pushes and pulls the tension, backing the melody where needed and adding weight when the songs demand a heavier presence. This approach gives that deep, rich low end, a necessity in a record that oscillates so freely between delicacy and devastation.

The drumming holds everything together with a comprehensive collection of cleverly assembled rhythmic patterns. Every fill, every snare hit, and every shifting time signature feels calculated and organic. The beats dictate the pacing and groove with such precision and finesse, something rarely seen in underground music nowadays. It’s an integral part of the storytelling, supporting mood and movement with immense precision. The synergy between the rhythm section and the guitars is mindblowing, crafting an elaborate soundscape that tangles the listener from scratch to finish. Denude’s songwriting immediately pulls the listener into its maelstrom while never settling into predictability. Tension builds and dissipates in such composed and spontaneous ways. There are no easy resolutions, no formulaic crescendos, only a constantly evolving sound, emotion, and intensity. This album demands full engagement, rewarding those who lean in with an experience that unfolds deeper with each successive listen.

It’s an album that exists in motion, continuously levitating between intensity, chaotic spirit, and cinematic sprawl. The lines between these qualities blur until they’re irrelevant because this does not simply recreate past formulas. Instead, Denude crafts something singular, something that honors their lineage while breaking free from the weight of expectation. The mix is spacious yet punchy, letting each element breathe while maintaining immediacy. The rawness is never sacrificed for clarity, and vice versa, this is a recording that captures the energy of a live performance without losing the intricacies that make it such a tantalizing listen. Denude’s debut is a statement of intent, a manifesto of sonic and emotional catharsis. It’s music that refuses to be passive, demanding attention and engagement at every turn. A Murmuration Of Capitalist Bees offers a unique listening experience for those willing to lose themselves in its depths. Head to Expert Work Records or Dipterid Records for information about ordering. Don’t miss it!