L.A. Witch - "777"

Los Angeles has always had a dark underbelly. Since the emergence of punk rock in the late 70s, many of the city’s preeminent bands have embraced its seedy underbelly in their music. L.A. Witch is no exception, as they’ve masterfully tapped into that distinct West Coast post-punk sound for the better part of a decade. Their psychedelic garage rock-inspired music has always had gloomy undertones, but the trio has continued to explore and experiment with each new release. For their next album DOGGOD, which is due out this April, they seem to be getting even darker and moving away from the influence of their home city. Their latest single, “777,” sets the moody launch point by tapping into coldwave and more Euro-goth sounds.

“777” is reminiscent of guitar-driven goth bands of the late 70s and early 80s, including Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy, and Tones on Tail. The track’s bassline is steady and unrelenting at times, serving as the foundation for the desert-noir vibe that the band has made their calling card. The guitar lurches forward like it’s crawling out of a smokey dive bar in the early morning hours. There’s something ritualistic about it—like you’re being drawn into a séance of fuzz and feedback.

You can pre-order DOGGOD on vinyl via Bandcamp. Keep up with L.A. Witch by following them on Instagram.