Alpha Hopper Let Heaven and Nature Sing II LP

Heavy mix of noise punk, math rock, and fucking riffs on this third LP from Buffalo, NY’s ALPHA HOPPER. Molten, head-nodding riffs often split apart into intricate intertwining guitar leads that rival DON CABALLERO at their most rockin’, while still maintaining the chaos of ARAB ON RADAR. This would be a rad heavy alt/noise rock record if not for vocalist Irene, whose voice resembles Lucy from BIG CLOWN in timbre and rhythmic delivery. The high-pitched vocals steer the ship in a punk direction, and it sounds incredible. When the guitars started tangling on opener “She’s Thunder,” I had the thought that ALPHA HOPPER is the only band who could make a YES cover sound cool. Tracks like “So Easy” and “Down in Flames” rip with noisy, interlocking leads and slow, chugging buildups. Short instrumental tracks “AH01,” “AH02,” and “AH03” provide blooming psych explorations that, while rare on a DIY punk record, add a grandiose weight to the album that totally works. Check this one out.

• Reviewer Nick Odorizzi
• Label Swimming Faith
• Issue MRR #504 • May 2025