Meryl Streek - 796 - The Instrumentals

Ltd Black/red smash coloured vinyl 

Meryl Streek’s debut 796 was a confrontational blast of post-punk intensity, its caustic spoken word vocals colliding with beats and noise to propel the Dublin artist from squats to major stages. Now 796 – The Instrumentals offers a different perspective, spotlighting the restless production that underpinned the record’s polemics.

Written after years drumming in semi-pro bands, Streek turned to Ableton to sketch out ideas free from outside interference. The result was a collision of Celtic music, dance, hip-hop and punk, stitched together with the adventurous spirit of Mogwai, Tortoise and DJ Shadow. Recorded between a Vancouver apartment and late-night studio sessions, these tracks laid the foundation for the album’s uncompromising voice.

Without the vocals, the instrumentals carry the same weight and volatility, highlighting Streek’s skill as a producer and composer. The tension, release, joy and grief embedded in the original songs remain intact, allowing the music’s shifting textures and experimental energy to stand on their own.

Genre: Punk