There is a lot to unpack here. This is the self-titled debut of Pittsburgh band Razz Newtons. Released in April 2025 and available on both digital and “translucent gumball” vinyl (see image below) these trippy, seemingly casual jams have a distinctly precise prog-rock structure. Varied musical elements such as surf, psychedelic, funk, raga and fusion get superimposed upon each other, often shifting gears but not in a cluttered or chaotic way.
Available on translucent gumball vinyl :0)
The album delivers a surprise right off the line. Opening samples of urban traffic and electronic sounds are juxtaposed by a myriad of textures from the guitar and driving rhythms from the bass and drums. This riff-heavy blend definitely knows how to keep the listener curious. A seriousness runs hand in hand with a playfulness delivered by three impressive players.
- Christian Kratsas – Guitar
- Jason Geyer – Bass
- Mario White – Drums
“Razz Newtons seek to transcend consciousness through groovy bass lines, gliding guitar riffs, and pulsating rhythms. To leave you dazzled by how you got here and enchanted by where they’ll take you next.”
While this most definitely feels bigger than a three piece, it’s not over the top. The layered grooviness oozing from this fanciful concoction is both down to Earth and otherworldly. And it’s DIY to the core. In addition to developing their sound, the band learned the art of production and mixing. This debut was self-recorded and self-released after a long journey of musical and technical experimentation and discovery.
The result is something the band refer to as, “intercontinental dream rock” and it sounds fantastic. Utilizing the full stereo space and sonic spectrum, ‘Razz Newtons’ by Razz Newtons is a expedition that takes the listener up, over, around, and through an aural holiday. It keeps your ears on their toes — or something like that. Available now on Bandcamp.
Cheers!
Stephen
Website → razznewtons.com
Instagram → instagram.com/razznewtons
TikTok → tiktok.com/@razz.newtons
Bandcamp → razznewtons.bandcamp.com
