They Are Draining A Body Of Water – LOTTO

      Mystical and tormented shoegaze from Philadelphia's indie legends...

      Doug Dulgarian’s journey to ‘LOTTO’ has been arduous and filled with challenges. Originally a solo multi-track endeavor, They Are Gutting a Body of Water (or TAGABOW for short) has transformed into a solid four-member rock band, delivering some of the most raw and remarkable indie music Philadelphia has produced this decade. However, this evolution has been fraught with difficulties: Dulgarian’s struggles with drug addiction, the unpredictable nature of the music industry, and an injury that left him temporarily unable to play guitar after a severe heroin incident damaged the nerves in his left arm.

      This backdrop sets the stage for ‘LOTTO’, which begins with ‘the chase’—a stark, emotionless spoken-word piece longing for “a substance that will make me sob pathetic to my girlfriend.” The flat delivery of the lyrics underscores a profound and authentic emotional experience. ‘LOTTO’ resonates with a barely contained anguish, its ten tracks (spanning just 28 minutes) manage to feel both restrained and abbreviated, as their straightforward rhythms create a disorienting sense of time reminiscent of drug experiences. Tracks like ‘baeside k’ emulate My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Only Shallow’ but strip away the polish, revealing a weary, bitter essence that bombards the listener for two and a half minutes before it simply... fades away. Another example is ‘rl stine,’ inspired by a homeless friend of Dulgarian’s who lingers outside his neighborhood bodega; it’s slow, melancholic, and achingly beautiful, with lyrics obscured beneath layers of buzzing, pulsating guitars that suggest pain beyond expression.

      Such an achievement, however, isn’t exclusive to TAGABOW. What distinguishes this band from the wave of nostalgic imitators so prevalent in the 2020s is their skillful blend of other genres—particularly their use of electronics, which can be risky in a saturated musical scene where gimmicks often overshadow authenticity. Tracks like ‘american food’ are the antithesis of gimmicky. The song begins evoking emo icons American Football before shifting into an unsettling vocoded chorus accompanied by vinyl crackles. This should not work, but Dulgarian’s extensive experimentation has equipped him with the knowledge to surprise his audience while keeping them engaged, crafting a twisted pop track from diverse elements and integrating it seamlessly into the album.

      This extensive experience has been cultivated more out of necessity than creativity. The injury that sidelined Dulgarian’s left arm forced him to explore sampling as a musical outlet. While earlier releases like ‘Destiny XL’ enjoyed the juxtaposition of quirky electronic snippets with shoegaze, ‘LOTTO’ makes a deliberate effort to merge these varied styles into a unified whole. The album remains disorienting and enchanting—feeling a bit elusive even after repeated listens—but it stands out as one of the year's most captivating releases, an album you’ll find yourself wanting to revisit consistently.

      8/10

      Words: Tom Kingsley

      Join us on WeAre8, as we delve into global cultural events. Follow Clash Magazine HERE as we journey through clubs, concerts, interviews, and photo shoots. Get exclusive backstage insights and a glimpse into our world as the excitement unfolds.

      Subscribe to the Clash mailing list for the latest updates on music, fashion, and film.