“fight to keep from sinking” is the latest release by peejmudd, an outstanding American artist based in Chico, California. It’s his first piece of work in 2025 and the third album, arriving after “Vintage Rainy City” and “When You Find My Body, Call Me By My Name,” two critically acclaimed full-lengths released in 2021 and 2023 that you should also check out as soon as possible. It’s a sonic journey that will satisfy not only fans of the genre but also those picky music enthusiasts looking for wisely assembled and flawlessly performed music. Sonically, peejmudd combines several complementary music genres to illustrate such luxuriant sonic imagery. Perhaps post-rock comes to mind first, but you’ll unquestionably notice how some of the finest properties borrowed from post-metal, neo-classical, and cinematic ambient found their way into this sonic equation. peejmudd uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to elevate this collection of incredible songs to new heights. “fight to keep from sinking” continuously levitates between modern and nostalgic sound, and the artist expertly infuses all those music genres into this material, creating a catchy, memorable, engaging ambiance that immediately wraps around your listening apparatus and refuses to let go long after this album ends. Therefore, these experimentations with different approaches and complementary styles resulted in magnificent material suitable for longstanding post-rock fans and newbies to the genre.
As soon as you press play, you’ll realize that “fight to keep from sinking” is a fine piece of art, crafted by a mastermind who knows how to write, compose, arrange, record, and produce mesmerizing instrumental compositions, packed with emotion. Each composition arrives with a perfect structure, garnered with many profoundly detailed segments, brilliant ideas, and marvelous orchestrations. Each instrument has its place and purpose in this sonic equation, making “fight to keep from sinking” such an incredible listening experience worth repeating over and over again. The guitars play a significant role in this sonic equation. You’ll stumble upon carefully assembled interplays between rhythm and lead guitar, shaping such a perfect backdrop. The comprehensive collection built upon arpeggiated and regular chord progressions, and powerful riffs shine on one side while the other offers beautiful themes, melodies, harmonies, accentuations, and other sonic delicacies. These guitar works continuously levitate between clean, jangly, angular tones to subtly or generously distorted riffs. In both cases, there are generous servings of effects such as reverb, echo, or delay, providing that nearly otherwordly feel. “Echoes Wake,” “This Day Is Ours,” “Essex (Burning Bright),” “To Break The Sky,” and “Tearing Me Apart” are just some examples where these guitar works shine in the limelight, but you’ll discover even more once you dive deep into this masterpiece. Besides creating a perfect backdrop, these guitar works contribute rawness, abrasiveness, and grittiness to a dominantly polished ambiance. It’s also nearly mindblowing how all these layers articulate without overwhelming each other.
The synths and keys also play an important role in this sonic equation. You’ll notice how all those additional leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, sequences, and other sonic maneuvers lurk above the guitars, constructing that calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal atmosphere. Besides flawlessly articulating with guitars, these synth works also contribute more emotional depth and complexity to already intricate song structures. Whether taking the lead throughout the composition or acting as more than necessary support for all the guitar works, synths play a vital role in defining “fight to keep from sinking” as a cinematic piece. These orchestrations are solely responsible for why this material sounds so cinematic, otherwordly, and cathartic, as each theme and melody will transport you to another realm. Compositions like “This Day Is Ours,” “To Break The Sky,” “Standing At The Precipice, A Moment Before The Fall,” “Beneath The Waves,” “A Quickening Pulse,” “Broken Body, Broken Mind,” “Today Is A Good Day To Die,” and “I Remember Nothing” exemplify how synths and keys elevate this material to new heights. Also, there are tracks like “The Final Ascent” and “Solitude” that carry elements of drone, experimental, and avant-garde music, creating unique pieces that perfectly fit into the album’s thematics. Of course, this sonic equation wouldn’t sound complete without rock solid rhythm section. These sonic maneuvers depend of mood, situation, and approach. Whether incorporating analog or electronic layers, each approach fits these compositions. You’ll hear how equally impressive, complex, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines rumble beneath guitar and synth layers, providing more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth while binding these orchestrations with rhythmic patterns. These basslines are rich, dense, deep, and heavy, contributing complexity and details to these songs. In the meantime, tastefully arranged, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated, moderate beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics keep everything in line while dictating groove and pace. Every instrument has its place and purpose in this sonic equation, so if the guitars and synths act as a backdrop, then the bass and drums serve as a backbone, holding everything together.
With “fight to keep from sinking”, peejmudd takes you to an ear-appealing sonic voyage through a luxuriant sonic universe where his boundless talent, skills, experience, and knowledge meet his jaw-dropping ideas and impressive musicianship. With fourteen marvelous compositions, this exceptional artist breaks all the rules and shapeshifts the boundaries of so many music genres, proving that post-rock can still sound fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting. You should immediately place this gem on your music radar. The album is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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