AudioGust has the kind of DIY approach that makes alternative rock feel personal again. On ‘This Time Or Any Other’, the multi-instrumentalist and producer folds new wave, indie rock and post-grunge into a melodic, guitar-driven sound that feels ambitious without losing its immediacy. Lead single ‘Something in the Water’ sets the tone, starting in reflective territory before opening into a big, hooky chorus built for repeat plays.
The song’s central tension, wanting to hold onto a perfect moment while knowing it can’t last, gives all that polished production something real to hang onto. Layered guitars, vocal harmonies and shifting dynamics keep the arrangement moving, while AudioGust’s knack for melody prevents it from becoming overly grandiose. There are clear nods to the likes of The Police, Foo Fighters and the broader Seattle tradition, but the result feels less like nostalgia than a songwriter filtering familiar influences through a distinctly modern DIY lens.
Across ‘This Time Or Any Other’, AudioGust makes a strong case for the enduring appeal of a well-written rock song. He handles the production, instrumentation and arrangements himself, and that hands-on approach gives the record a cohesive identity. For an artist who describes his music as “hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists,” this feels like a pretty accurate mission statement.
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