8/10

Some first releases feel like careful introductions. 'Memory Engine', the self-titled debut from the Vancouver, Washington duo, feels more like a statement of intent as three songs, three emotional temperatures, and a clear refusal to be boxed into one lane.

Joshua Kramer and Gwendolyn Gudaitis have clearly spent years sharpening their collaborative edge, and you can hear that lived-in chemistry from the first moments of 'Lady Aqiba'. The track unfolds with a restless pulse, balancing grit with melody in a way that feels both rooted in Americana and unafraid of distortion. There’s a cinematic undercurrent running through it as guitars shimmer and bite in equal measure, while the vocal delivery carries a storyteller’s cadence. It’s evocative without being indulgent, hinting at wide landscapes and internal battles all at once.

Then comes 'Dear Dismay', a tighter, more intimate offering that pivots the mood entirely. The addition of mandolin (courtesy of Joe Tiberio) injects a rustic warmth that softens the edges without diluting the emotional weight. The interplay between acoustic textures and subtle rhythmic drive gives it a heartbeat that never overwhelms the vulnerability at its core.

Closing track 'Across the Cuff' widens the lens again. Here, the duo lean into dynamic shifts as quiet passages bloom into fuller arrangements, and there’s a sense of push and pull that keeps us slightly off balance in the best way. It’s the most expansive of the three, revealing a willingness to stretch beyond genre expectations. You can hear threads of alternative rock, folk tradition, and even a hint of punk urgency woven together into something distinctly their own.

But what makes 'Memory Engine' compelling is it’s range. These songs showcase different facets of the duo’s creative identity. Produced and mixed by Kramer, with mastering handled by Maor Appelbaum, the sound remains organic and unforced, prioritising feel over polish.

As introductions go, 'Memory Engine' is confident and refreshingly multifaceted. It suggests a partnership unafraid to experiment, to contrast light and shadow, and to let each song breathe on its own terms. If this is the opening chapter, the story ahead promises to be anything but predictable.