Public Practice - Gentle Grip (2020)

For its first album, Gentle Grip, the group Public Practice revives the spirit of the late 70s in New York with its angular and playful style which mixes no wave / funk and dark disco. While singer and songwriter Sam York and guitarist and lead sound architect Vince McClelland - both members of the New York post-punk group WALL - take an almost anarchic approach to songwriting, Drew Citron synth and bass, and drummer / producer Scott Rosenthal - both members of the Brooklyn indie-pop group, Beverly - bring a more traditional pop sensibility to the whole. These opposing styles challenge and complement each other, giving a sound full of tension. In terms of words, York explores the complexities and contradictions of modern life. The piece Compromised asks how it is possible to reconcile material desires and the desire to be considered a good person. Change of pace with the very groovy My Head which aims to ignore outside noise to remain true to its inner creative force. But even if the group deconstructs preconceived ideas about relationships, creativity or capitalism, Public Practice does not forget that you have to have fun, and that it wants you to have fun too. After all, who needs a platform when they can express themselves on the dance floor?