If you’re from the area, you know PHOX. To the rest of America, these new hometown heroes from Baraboo will be the only Wisconsin name they can remember besides Bon Iver (they even shared a production home at the April Base Studio in Fall Creek, WI). But they’re not feeling the spite quite yet: PHOX’s story is the stuff of envy, but their well-backed corner is likely due to the fact that they deserve it. Unpretention is the name of their game, and they’ve managed to introduce the rest of the country to that special brand of Midwestern sound that resonates humility and craftsmanship down to every chord.
Their first LP, self-titled and released today on Partisan Records, is a shining example of indie-pop done simply and done right. The album is peppered with songs that get you to groove with a summery ease, from the standout singles “Slow Motion” and “1936” to more hidden gems like “Evil” and album closer “In Due Time.”
PHOX puts a gilded frame around the vocals of frontwoman Monica Martin, and they’re certainly justified. Her swooning voice is the stuff of lullabies, creating an album-long thread that carries the listener like an ultra-not-creepy version of the luckdragon from “The Neverending Story.” And while I admire their tasteful instrumental restraint, the future of PHOX likely lies in exploring the full expanse of that capacity. With six band members and a variety of instruments at their disposal, the group has room to grow into themselves. In the meantime, we’re proud they’re from Wisconsin.
PHOX
“And while I admire their tasteful instrumental restraint, the future of PHOX likely lies in exploring the full expanse of that capacity.” I share this sentiment exactly. A few of the earlier versions of songs featured this more fuller exploration and then on the album, it seemed they pulled back some. I’ll get used to the change, but part of me is very much hoping that future efforts will get into that full expanse. Thanks for helping me think about it in terms of “giving themselves room to grow.”