Rock/Review Remit - Questions Unanswered
The Remit sound is built from a complex set of influences on its three band members, Jordan (bass/vox), Sim (guitar), and Rob (drums). They meet weekly in an underground concrete bunker, exploring krautrock, post-punk, funk, and life’s turgid experiences, where their futuristic and dystopian sound has developed.
The Naarm-Melbourne trio Remit makes a forceful, uncompromising statement with their debut album “Questions Unanswered.” It combines the raw bite of rock, the krautrock's unrelenting drive, and the angular intensity of post-punk into a sound that is both thrilling and confining.
The album, which was written and recorded in their notorious underground "concrete bunker," a soggy, poorly lit rehearsal area that might also be considered a Cold War artifact, conveys the rigor and isolation of its setting. Each track channels an almost post-apocalyptic spirit that reflects the shattered state of the outer world, as if it were carrying the weight of thick walls and flickering lights.
The hypnotic, driving groove that “Questions Unanswered” creates from the opening bassline is krautrock's polished forward drive, but it is infused with a sharp punk edge. While the drums persistently drive, grounding the maelstrom, the guitar work alternates between wide, reverb-soaked washes and razor-wire precision. A combination of urgency and detachment in the vocal delivery reflects themes of isolation, alienation, and the unsettling quest for meaning.
As implied by the title, the record's lyrics leave the listener struggling with impressions, fragments, and unresolved feelings rather than offering simple solutions. The album's unwavering sound and open-endedness make it as much an immersive experience as a collection of tunes.
Remit establishes themselves as a band that isn't scared to take on discomfort head-on with “Questions Unanswered,” providing a soundtrack for people navigating a world that feels unsteady all the time. It's an attention-grabbing debut album that won't go away.