The latest 7″ from Followed By Static, “Smiles” b/w “Bones,” features a couple of tracks that shift between spare, cracked folk and damn near bouncy noise pop. ”Bones” is full of tired desperation, while “Smiles” delivers Sonic Youth-esque distortion and drive that strikes the perfect balance between melody and noise. What the whole thing adds up to is a release that would have been right at home on Austin’s gone-but-not-forgotten punk/noise label, Trance Syndicate, with the likes of the Cherubs, Bedhead, and Sixteen Deluxe. And as those bands represent some of my favorites from Austin’s past, Followed By Static is definitely a favorite from Austin’s current crop of rockers.

The “Smiles” 7″ is out now on Sundae Records (comes with free digital download!). Check it out here. Or you can purchase a download from Followed By Static’s Bandcamp page here.