POLYCHUCK – Shadows Exposed (2021 EP)

Who’s Polychuck?  He’s just getting started.

From Montreal, with a do-it-yourself attitude and all the know-how, Polychuck is ready to be heard.  His new EP Shadows Exposed has something for everyone, and that’s not just a cliche this time.  Five deeply personal songs, from the wellspring of modern popular music, heavy metal, progressive rock, and all the classics.  Polychuck is a musically intelligent individual who pulls no punches on guitar, lyrically, or in the ring.  He’s also an MMA fighter!

Lead track “Beating Myself Down” has the vintage piano bop vibe, complete with scratchy vinyl playback.  Before you mistake it for a Billy Joel record, Polychuck brings in the modern influences and blunt lyrics.  Synth horns give you an idea of where Polychuck is coming from.  Performed on keyboards this time, he wants to use a real horn section on his next album.  Creative use of vocoder, and a smoking guitar solo with some insane sounds are the icing on a very sweet cake.

“Exposure” has a modern urban feel, before the heavy metal drum beats kick in.  This is augmented by some pretty awesome record scratching.  The Styx-like keyboard solo reveals Polychuck’s progressive side, which he also wishes to explore further next time out.

Another strong tune, “In the Dark”, binds the heavy beats, some creative keyboard construction, and a solid guitar riff.  This riff transforms into a wailing solo.  Fans of Linkin Park will find something to love here.

Light beach-ready guitar plucks away on “Driving Me Mad”, a song for the summer that sounds like a holdover hit from ages past.  What sets it apart is, again, the guitar.  At one point Polychuck hits upon a melody something like “Rough Boy” by ZZ Top, and it’s the perfect fixture for the song.

The last song “Lights Out” tackles a number of subjects:  the inner critic, nostalgia, old friendships,  and more.  Light 80s keyboard is paired with heavy drums and guitar, ending the EP on a positive note.

When Deke and I talked to Polychuck, he told us he was very much looking forward to making everything bigger next time out, with more real instruments and much more prog.  We look forward to what he has in store, but check out the EP for a taste.  It’s available on iTunes and all the usual streaming platforms.  Shadows Exposed makes a splash but it’s just the inception.  More to come from this gifted artist.

4/5 stars