We’ve never not been in an age conformity, but now there is a government that is trying to make it law, so this is a little more extreme than what we’re used to enduring. There’s something to be said about taking you own path and not worrying what everyone else is doing. Individuality beats groupthink any day.

Emilio Rizzo had that in mind when creating “Resistant Spirit,” the new record from his Fuzznaut project. Over the course of seven years of existence, Fuzznaut created desert-like doom drone that permeates the senses and makes you see things in your head while you’re listening. The compositions here easily could be a major portion of a full-band production—any of his music could—but he uses his spirit and creativity alone over these eight tracks, turning them into their own beings that don’t need all the other elements to survive and thrive. It’s most infectious after sundown, perhaps after a drag, you know?

“Intro” brings glazing guitars, a spoken sample crackling, swimming in your brain and leading into the title track that feels properly dusty and desert dry to start. The aura gets ominous, psychedelic sentiment traveling your bloodstream, gathering and rising in spacey tension, total darkness swallowing stars. “Spacerock” is whirry and weird, guitars simmering into a gaseous cloud before a chugging pace mars your vision like smoke from burning tires. The dark fuzz grows thicker, sounds erode, and everything turns to the dirt as it fades. “Sufferlove” has a similar tone as what preceded it, acting as a nice stitch, guitars engulfing before the playing scrapes harder, working into downward spirals. Psyche shimmers blind as reflective silver shades illuminate, the playing toughening and merging with the sky, adding grey smears to the bright blue.

“Earbleeder” has riffs churning, the playing moving into shadows, doomy buzz overtaking the atmosphere. Numbing melodies emerge, Sabbathy riffs take the reins, and the back end of the track slips into hypnosis. “Defiant Prayer” hangs in echo, steely riffs reverberating, digging into morbid tones that make the surrounding air noticeably colder. Fuzz collects and the guitars brighten, paving an uneasy ambiance, the noise pounding away before dissolving into mystery. “Wind Doula” keeps the pressure on, guitars vibrating as rich playing pours sunshine into an already heated desert. You feel like you’re being baked, the Earth-like strains making you feel lightheaded, energy rippling out of that and shooting jolts of electricity. Closer “BRKN” is oddly reflective, even more than what preceded it, reverb simmering, the heat continuing to extend its grasp. Melody sticks as the mood grows spacier, guitars murmur, and the void envelopes faster than your brain has a chance to react.

Rizzo makes a lot out of minimalist parts on “Resistant Spirit,” a trait he has brought to all Fuzznaut creations. His plight to remain an individual in a sea of conformity shows he’s coming out on top, as this album easily could have plenty of other parts added to match the terrain, but it works gloriously as is. Bare bones, but not bare thoughts, less weight but more meaning, and another creation that can either ignite your fire or let it settle, depending on what your poor brain needs. 

For more on the band, go here: https://fuzznaut.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://fuzznaut.bandcamp.com/album/resistant-spirit