Squid
Live @ La Santeria, Milano 21.09.23

Santeria Toscana has the unique characteristic of being located opposite one of the most socially contradictory places in Milan. Within a span of 50 meters and without any solution of continuity, the Bocconi campus rises, and adjacent to it lies one of the most frequented shelters: the headquarters of Pane Quotidiano, where the queue that silently and dignifiedly forms every morning seems to ask everyone to "do their part." That prayer this evening will turn into a shout "I'll play my part" which is the bridge of Narrator, a song that remains iconic by Squid, a scream that personally reminds me of "I miss you" by Slint in the finale of Good Morning Captain. It is absolutely impressive the solidity of Ollie Judge's band achieved in just two albums. If the songs from Bright Green Field, the debut album, fit into that scene called post-punk featuring Idles, Yard Act, Dry Cleaning, Shame, Black Country New Road, Monolith offers certain absolutely schizoid moments veering towards electronic games typical of John Stainer's Battles ("If You had seen the bull's swimming attempts you Would you stayed away") enriched with fantastic and effective trumpet games, in rhythms that wink at King Crimson's Indiscipline of Live in Mexico (though the drummers there are 3).
The live performance is a continuous exploration, a 360-degree range where the drum's impetuosity meets the lightness of jazz movements. They are all multi-instrumentalists, switching bass and electric guitar between at least three members with incredible naturalness. There isn't a standout track; there is the completeness and heterogeneity reminiscent of the post-rock of June of 44, Tortoise, and Don Caballero. There are Swing, Undergrowth, and closing the set, Blades among the tracks from "Monolith" preceded by Pamphlets. A perfect tracklist, harmonized with great mastery and generosity. Upon exit, the more boomer audience (and there are many over 50) leaves as good vinyl aficionados with both records, showing that even if one tries to encapsulate any experience in a genre, at times, someone can still surprise you with a cocktail where the English new wave of New Order mixes with the Louisville scene. An absolutely fantastic concert, worthy of 5 stars.