The Pittsburgh noise rockers brought the distortion & earworms in Houston
Feeble Little Horse has a knack for writing scuzzy, charming earworms that knock you out like tiny pink boxing gloves. Their latest album bitknot does just that: it combines their signature heavy distorted guitars with catchy melodies, syncopated beats and saccharine lyricism. The Pittsburgh band’s lead single, “Rewind”––their catchiest song since 2021’s “Chores”–– is about growing pains after the end of a relationship. The chorus feels anthemic and like a gut punch wrapped in a pretty synth line.
It’s refreshing to see them perform these intricate, cacophonous songs live. At times it feels like you’re at a metal show with the headbanging, the moshing, the crowdsurfing on a Monday night in Houston. In the quieter moments, Lydia Slocum’s voice is the only sound in the room. It was the closest I’ve felt to a northeastern DIY noise show. Their banter (mentioning their sound man Alan throughout) was like we were all missing out on some inside joke of theirs. Having released one of the best records of the summer, their set was understated (in a good way), just like their return from their hiatus. Their heavier moments never feel too heavy. Not until they end the set with “DMT” screaming into the microphone.
