For The Carringtons, brevity is less a gimmick than a working philosophy. Since 2014, the Quebec City band has carved out its own corner of garage rock and indie punk through DIY persistence, sharp hooks, and songs that rarely overstay their welcome. “NOISE,” released September 4, is the latest example, and the first preview of their forthcoming second album, THE REUNION.
The track runs on the kind of economy that has become central to the band’s identity. A danceable bassline and driving drums provide the engine while guitars cut through with enough abrasion to keep the melody from becoming too neat. There is a familiar Strokes-like instinct for immediacy here, but The Carringtons roughen the edges with the nervous energy associated with contemporary punk and garage rock.
What makes “NOISE” work is its refusal to confuse speed with chaos. The arrangement is compact and purposeful, giving each instrumental element a job. The vocals retain a raw quality that suits the band’s aesthetic, avoiding the kind of polish that could drain the track of its live-wire character. The result feels built for a crowded room, but it also makes sense as a studio recording because the hooks remain audible beneath the noise.
That said, the band’s commitment to the two-minute format can occasionally create its own limitation. There is little room for tension to accumulate or for an idea to develop beyond its initial impact. “NOISE” largely embraces that constraint rather than challenging it. Its strength is immediacy, even if a little more contrast could have made the payoff hit harder.
Still, after more than a decade of doing things independently, The Carringtons sound less interested in proving themselves than in refining what already works. With THE REUNION arriving October 2, “NOISE” suggests a band increasingly confident in its ability to make concise songs feel substantial.
The Carringtons are not trying to make more noise for its own sake. They are making every second count. For a group once described as Quebec City’s best kept secret, the noise is becoming difficult to ignore.
Featured Image: Artist Supplied
