Fluung – “Fluung”

I’m so impressed with Fluung’s self-titled album, Seattle’s DIY scene has birthed something special here. This is a trio that has been active since 2017, and their work on this record is proof of that. If you like bands such as Dinosaur Jr., Ovlov, or MJ Lenderman, you will have a lot to enjoy in this one. The way they blend alternative rock crunch with catchy pop melodies is just perfect.

“Tuning” opens the album with a statement of intent before “Puzzle Piece” drops you straight into their world of fuzzed-out guitars and infectious energy. The title track “Fluung” is probably my favorite, it’s got all the elements that make this band do well in one tidy package of noise. If have to choose 10 favorite releases of the month, this one will definitely be one of them.

These guys are very clear about their identity as musicians. They have also included a new version of their 2017 song “Spirit Well” called “Spirit Well (Joe’s Version)” which they suggest should be played at maximum volume. Take that advice – this album deserves to be cranked.

The trio (Donald Wymer, Andrew Davis, and Joe Holcomb) sound incredibly tight throughout, no doubt from years of playing Seattle’s DIY scene and opening for acts like Cloud Nothings. The songwriting explores themes of aging as musicians and the creative process itself, adding depth to the noisy exterior.

This album continues their guitar-heavy approach from 2022’s “The Vine” while bringing back elements from their earlier work, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh, nostalgic yet totally relevant to today’s indie landscape, and you absolutely need to follow these guys on social media right now, add this album to your heavy rotation playlist, and catch them live next time they blow through your town because bands that combine this level of songcraft and raw energy don’t come around very often.