System Exclusive, Wristwatch

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Kristen Linney

Kristen Linney

The self-titled debut album by System Exclusive is one of those rare beasts that sounds instantly familiar while being brand new (it was released via Castle Face in March 2022). The duo of Ari Blaisdell and Matt Jones draw on influences from the world of synth music back to its 1970s beginnings and mix it with pop-rock by adding Jones' steady live drums and Blaisdell's postpunk guitar and coolly emotive vocals. Opening is Wristwatch, a new project from Bobby Hussy making their local live debut.

media release: Brand new Castle Face signees System Exclusive shared their debut self-titled album, out now. Speaking on the new record, Ari Blaisdell wrote: "We mostly wrote the album during the pandemic, a time when a lot of people were reflecting and self examining. We were no different, taking stock of our personal and musical roots, I think that’s why the album is such a mashup of genres. We both have gone through so many musical phases and it was a good time to comb through the decades and pull what we liked from all of them. Lyrically, I really let it all out and wrote from the heart, I processed a lot of things I glossed over for so many years. We recorded it 3 times in our backyard and by the third try we really felt we captured what we were trying to portray."

System Exclusive have also announced a North American tour.

"Ari’s irony-free delivery is an ideal fit again Jones’ drum machines and makes for a very vibey and cool record." - New Noise Magazine

"Another scorcher out of the Castle Face stable [...] arpeggiated pop that mixes a love for German Progressive pulses and ‘90s synth punk alike (think Le Tigre and shades of YYY’s). While there’s certainly a lean into the post-punk trickle down into the early aughts, the band clearly grabs on tighter to the the more propulsive end of the Teutonic ‘70s." - Raven Sings the Blues

"A post-apocalyptic, post-punk electro bop [...] Ari Blaisdell’s siren-like vocals lure the listener into the doomed dance that is Game of the Fool" - Analogue Trash

"A track full of throbbing and almost abusive goth synth-rock that keeps it coming in a bizarre cycle of hypnotic bliss." - Glide

"Marries current garage rock with classic synthpop a la The Human League or Depeche Mode" - Brooklyn Vegan

"Suddenly, this unassuming glide has turned into a super-sonic flight. It sounds like a mix of My Baby’s voodoo psychedelia and Peter Bjorn and John’s 'Young Folks,' and it’s awesome." - The Revue