Deerhoof, "Friend Opportunity"

Billboard

Last year's infectious "Friend Opportunity" presented Deerhoof in Technicolor, the band distorting pop to create a musical Candyland dotted with explosively vivid experimental landmines. "Offend Maggie" takes a more grounded, monochromatic approach. The addition of second guitarist Ed Rodriguez shifts the focus from synth-manufactured atmospheres to stripped-down primal rock, with power chords wrapped in crackling overdrive taking charge. Vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki turns her attention to philosophical matters, with songs tackling birth, God and the afterlife. That's not to say Deerhoof has stripped off all its quirky, futuristic drapery. Rather, there's a certain stark gravitas that permeates the affair, and instead of giddy euphoria, "Offend Maggie" aims for Zen-like deliberation. Turns out along with everything else, Deerhoof can strike deep, too.