New York City is known for its five boroughs of culture, creativity, and talent that has poured out into the world. And while you hear more often about the contributions that 'the big apple' had in the creation and evolution of hip hop music, it is also very important in the story of punk rock music. In the 1970s-80s, punk rock / post-punk was at an all time high and some of the most well known bands of this era came out of New York City; including Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Television, and New York Dolls. 

While the times have changed and punk rock / post-punk has fallen into the shadow of Hip Hop music in New York City, there are still bands coming from the boroughs that deserve attention. One of those bands is a fairly new band out of Brooklyn, Big Bliss. 

The Brooklyn trio Big Bliss pull direct influences from the aforementioned high times in punk rock in New York City and this is continued in their latest LP, At Middle Distance, being released October 19th by Exit Stencil Records. Having formed just in late 2015, Big Bliss is creation of brothers Tim (vox, gutiar) and Cory Race (drums). While having major influences on each other over the years, this is their first musical project together with the help of Wallace May (bass). As many bands do, Big Bliss began just as a fun project among brothers and friends, however, after the 2016 release of their debut EP, Keep Near (Exit Stencil Records), everything changed. They began making a name for themselves throughout the remaining DIY punk rock scenes in NYC and their tireless work and passion earned them the title of Oh My Rockness’ "Hardest Working Band of 2017."

Their upcoming release, At Middle Distance, is a true post-punk album that feels like a forgotten record from the 1970s-80s; uncovered in a box of records in a dusty and dark basement. The album begins with the extremely catchy chorus of "Constants" while the infectious and floaty guitar riffs carry you through the remainder of the album. Things get slowed down for the look into a challenge to the ideas of identity in "Duplicate" and things stay at a slower tempo until the end of the next track, "High Ideal".
 

As things pick back up for the remainder of the album, some serious punk rock roots are exposed in "Conscious Being" and the album closes on a somber look into addiction with "RTK". At Middle Distance is a must listen for anyone that has any interest in post-punk music or alternative rock music in general. Songs from the album are currently available to stream on Spotify and the full album will be available on October 19th. 

AT MIDDLE DISTANCE - TRACKLISTING
01. Constants
02. Fortune
03. Surface
04. Duplicate
05. High Ideal
06. Answer
07. Richard Race
08. Content Saves
09. Conscious Being
10. RTK
 

Keep up with everything Big Bliss related:
Facebook  / Twitter / Instagram / Bandcamp

Exit Stencil Recordings:
Soundcloud / Website / Youtube