7/10
There’s something deeply refreshing about music that doesn’t chase trends, doesn’t hide behind production tricks, and doesn’t apologise for loving the fundamentals. 'File Under: Dadrock' by Dominik Wrana & States of Matter is exactly that kind of release, delivering something unfiltered, self-aware, and bursting with the kind of musical confidence that only comes from players who truly understand their craft.
From the opening moments of 'On The Road', the EP establishes a clear identity of being rhythm-forward, guitar-led, and built on the chemistry of a band that sounds locked in. There’s a looseness here that feels intentional and a sense that the music is allowed to breathe, stretch, and occasionally swagger. It’s this balance between control and spontaneity that gives the record its pulse.
The interplay between the instruments is where things really come alive. Guitars converse as they play, pushing and pulling against the groove in ways that feel dynamic and unpredictable. Meanwhile, the rhythm section lays down a foundation that’s both tight and fluid, allowing the songs to shift gears without losing momentum. There are moments that lean into sun-soaked ease, only to pivot into something sharper and more urgent.
Vocally, there’s an unpretentious directness that suits the material perfectly. The delivery carries a lived-in quality, as though these songs have been road-tested long before they reached the studio. And that authenticity becomes one of the EP’s strongest assets, grounding even its most energetic passages in something tangible.
Rather than leaning completely into nostalgia, 'File Under: Dadrock' reinterprets familiar influences through a modern lens. It feels like a band picking up threads from different eras and weaving them into something cohesive and alive.
In a landscape often dominated by gloss and immediacy, Dominik Wrana & States of Matter deliver music that values feel over flash, and connection over convenience. This is an EP that demands to be played loud, shared, and experienced in full.
