So So Modern

So So Modern sounds like a circuit board having a panic attack in the middle of a mosh pit. It is a frantic, high-voltage collision of 8-bit electronics, jagged post-punk guitars, and drums that refuse to settle into a comfortable groove. The music carries a distinct New Zealand quirkiness, blending the DIY spirit of the Dunedin sound with the aggressive futurism of the mid-2000s electroclash movement.

What makes them truly distinctive is the way they balance mechanical precision with human chaos. While the synths often sound like they were ripped from a vintage arcade cabinet, the vocal delivery is communal and raw, often featuring multiple members shouting in unison. It is music that feels both highly calculated and completely unhinged, moving from shimmering pop melodies to abrasive noise in the span of a single measure.

Start with their 2010 album Crude Futures. It is the most polished realization of their sound, capturing the tension between their dancefloor aspirations and their art-school roots. If you want something rawer, the early EPs offer a glimpse into the frantic energy that made them a legendary live act in the Wellington scene.