Literal Hell

Activity “Calls Your Name”

Activity’s forthcoming record Unmask Whoever is one of the best debut records I’ve heard in a long time – a band arriving fully formed after years of its members doing strong work in other groups (Grooms, Field Mouse) and pulling together a set of tasteful influences in interesting and evocative new ways. The band exists in a very Portishead-ish space between electronic music and bleak art rock, with the single “Calls Your Name” leaning a bit more towards sample-based production and a clicking, twitchy paranoia. The music in this song feels tight and claustrophobic but also overtly sexual, like they were making music on the prompt of “erotic panic attack.” The vocals signal a sort of flirty ennui, the guitar and keyboard parts offer subtle melodicism beneath the rhythmic clatter. It’s not even their best song.

Buy it from Bandcamp.