KRGA is a Chicago power-pop group lead by Ryan Krga, and backed by drummer Kriss Bataille, guitarist Josephine, pedal steel player Brian Wilkie, rhythm guitarist Phil Angotti, and Hushdrops guitarist John San Juan. While the band has been playing it cool since 2016, releasing EPs and 7″s at their leisure, something finally must have click for them because their debut LP, Moi St. is probably the best version of the band that we could have hoped for. KRGA must agree, because the direct to tape-recorded album features some reworkings of some of their previous material, namely their 2019 7″ with a slightly less fey rendition of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and a retooled rendition of “Mysterious Lady” appearing here as a high-flying, country toe-tapper and instrumental called “Sancerre Nights.”
You could call KRGA a throwback, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. The band clearly isn’t attempting to pay homage to a nostalgic past as much as forging their own path using the tools and instructions that make sense to them. Truth be told, the DIY scene in Chicago is a surprisingly welcoming place for people to experiment with sounds that otherwise seem stasis-locked sometime in the mid-70’s. As anyone familiar with the Smith Westerns and Twin Peaks, or their parallels outside of Chicago like Hello, I’m Sorry, these kinds of sounds will never disappear so long as uncles continue to store their old records next to the liquor cabinets in shag rugged, finished basements, making both easy pickings and formative treasures for mischievous teens and young adults alike.
I could expound on some of the tips, traces, and scents of various influences and inspiration on Moi St for another four paragraphs, or I could just tell you about some of my favorite cuts off of it. Frankly, I think we’d both prefer the latter. The album begins with the thesis statement “Why Try,” a cracked-heart, strum and coo, with bendy reverb saturated guitar licks that could have been pulled from the demo sessions of Dye It Blonde. “So Far Gone” sweats a relaxed and sincere intensity of the kind which made men and women, and everyone else, fall in love with Alex Chilton once upon a time, delightfully goaded along by the soft roar of some very T.Rex like guitars. “Countryside” rolls out its first few measures as if it’s going to kick out some big Cream-filled jams before settling into a more Posies-esque windy lilt while hanging on to some of those classic Clapton hooks for a showy finish. “Sinner” punt a tin can down a dirt road to a jaunty, steal-heeled, country saunter, while Ryan’s vocal delivery bridging the gap between Dylan and Bolan. Most of these songs, as I’m sure you’ve guessed tend towards the mellower side of things, but if you are looking to heat things up a bit, “Disposable Treat” has a glammy galvanized quality to its stomp-blues grooves, but if you really want to cool off while raising the temperature in the room, there is no better track then the love-sick, chamber pop, smoocher and closer “Heavy Star.”
You can stream and buy KRGA’s Moi St. below via Bandcamp:
Get a copy of Moi St. on vinyl here.
Follow KRGA on Facebook.
