2016 was a hard year for Beach Slang. The band seemingly broke up onstage in Salt Lake City in April, drummer JP Flexner left the band in May, and sexual assault allegations led to a parting of ways with guitarist Ruben Gallego in October. But things are looking up for the Replacements-worshipping garage rockers in 2017 — singer James Alex is now joined by guitarist Aurore Ounjian and drummer Cully Symington, and the band has never sounded better. Beach Slang’s earnestness is its greatest quality, crashing forward in a clumsy tangle of feelings, like a mixtape you made for your high school crush — complete with a Jawbreaker cover or two. A live Beach Slang show is a joyfully intense experience that, as Alex mentions at the top of every performance, will punch you right in the heart. LANCE CONZETT
Beach Slang
