DC-based rockers Venn introduced themselves last year with a captivating cover of Slowdive’s “Alison” (below), serving as a tasteful preview of their stylistic leanings, that being shoegaze-y and textural rock. New track “Surreal”, off their upcoming EP (out 2/22), intends to “put an aggressive, almost punk influence on dream pop” — a mission that’s accomplished fully here. While the rest of the release is more dreamy and shoegaze-centric, “Surreal” is a burst of energy full of rising-and-falling bursts of distortion and gauzy guitar layers, with vocals assuming proper emotional alignment. It’s a nicely accomplished track that provides a promising look at the act’s upcoming EP, as well as an introduction to Venn’s original songwriting.
