Ideal Lives

"It's Rahim's exquisite attention to counterintuitive detail, revivifying a genre that's been teetering on the verge of depletion for years.”
- Pitchfork

"Angular, skittering rock with a creamy centre.”
- NPR

"With their debut full-length, the band accomplishes one of the most difficult things in the world of music: they move their sound forward and incorporate more of their influences without abandoning their earlier sonic identity.”
- Spin

Change and progress are important words in describing NY-based rockers, Rahim. Their debut EP 'Jungles' exposed a fresh take on the jagged post-punk style of the Washington, DC area that's both melodic and patient, and built on a strong rhythmic backbone.

On 'Ideal Lives' we can hear the band continuing to experiment musically, creating a more refined and polished sound. The record is a true testament to the progression and diligence of a band constantly evolving.

There's something to be said about the sound of a Rahim song; it's encoded in every fibre of every song the band puts forth. It's an overwhelming sense of identity and it has been with the band since the very beginning.

Recorded with J. Robbins [Jawbox, Jimmy Eat World], 'Ideal Lives' is beautiful and unattractive, sinister and hopeful at once. It finds the band taking a more introspective turn towards the music they grew up with, taking a page sonically from bands like Talking Heads and The Beatles, plus some of the band's more contemporary favourites like Blonde Redhead.

"The chemistry between the members of Rahim is quite apparent from the beginning to the end of the album.”
- Delusions Of Adequacy (8/10)

"What makes Rahim unique isn't their overall style; it's the tiny yet indispensable songwriting flourishes that lodge obdurately in the memory.”
- Pitchfork (7.5/10)

"Most original band I've heard in a long time. Also they use negative space like a master painter or photographer would. Extremely rhythmic and tuneful all at once.”
- Metacritic (9/10)

Jagged post-punk inspired by the likes of Q and Not U, Les Savy Fav and Gang Of Four. If that's your bag, THIS is too.