Released: 02/08/24
On his Sub Pop debut, Tacoma-based artist Justin R. Cruz Gallego (J.R.C.G.) delivers a raw, genre-blending sonic explosion that fuses abrasive electronics, punk energy, and Latin rhythms. Grim Iconic...(Sadistic Mantra) is a visceral, chaotic, and deeply personal album driven by tension and transformation—melding noise with melody, apathy with catharsis. With standout tracks like the dissonant-yet-playful “Dogear” and the ambitious “Cholla Beat,” Gallego channels influences from Miles Davis to Oneohtrix Point Never. Co-produced with Seth Manchester, the record balances homegrown intimacy with hi-fi intensity, supported by a rotating cast of underground heavyweights. The result: an electrifying, genre-defying statement that’s as exhilarating as a packed DIY show.