Scarlet Rascal

Scarlet Rascal

INVADA. CD/DL/LP

Moody Bristolians debut on Invada, Geoff Barrow of Portishead’s “safe-haven for mavericks.”

If Bristol had an East Village, Scarlet Rascal would surely inhabit it. All poppy froideur and wrap-around shades cool, they deliver their mostly transatlantic-sounding psych-garage with a shrug and a sneer. It’s an approach that’s especially irresistible on Strange, a stirring merger of James Stockhausen’s meaty plectrum-bass, some typically mutant guitars, and Luke Brookes’ Fred Schneidermeets-Iggy vocals. Though the motorik groove of Venus, nocturnal unease of Pearl, and fantastical, Velvets-like tale of “flesh turning to gold” that is Blood Orange also captivate, the plodding, melodic minimalism of Last Day is a big ask when stretched to almost seven minutes. Still, despite the odd mis-fire and a moniker that conjures a pub-rock act, Scarlet Rascal’s stylishly unkempt noise-works has much to commend it, not least drummer Maya Indelicato’s crystalline backing vocals on Here I Am.