I always feel a bit lazy when starting a review by comparing a record to older stuff. But if I say “Daydream Nation” and “Spiderland” you can get an immediate idea of what Quotas’ debut EP is all about.

Or if you’ve never heard those records, I have more paragraphs for you.

Based out of Brantford, Quotas is a trio of music vets with a knack for creating creepy sonic jungle-gyms.

Opener (and personal fav) “First Right of Refusal” hits it big with a haunting melody over ambient pads and minimalist guitarwork before hitting its thunderous crescendo. “Stimshot” finds vocalist/guitarist Amanda Mead channeling her inner Kim Gordon with deadpan spoken lyrics over dissonant and unnerving guitar work. ”Decant” continues this trend but doubles down with swirling guitar and basslines.

Quotas is able to have its cake and eat it too by pilfering the best parts of post-rock and post-punk. The long instrumental passages build/release tension while Mead’s previously-mentioned disaffected vocals contribute a sense of underlying dread.

It’s an uncomfortable listen, expertly crafted, masking beauty behind terror. Highly recommended.

Quotas is available on CD and digitally through zBTFD.