{"title":"Weird Nightmare","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"weird-nightmare-weird-nightmare-cotton-candy-swirl-vinyl","title":"Weird Nightmare - Weird Nightmare [Cotton Candy Swirl Vinyl]","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"aec-body\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"aec-main\" class=\"col-md-10\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aec-product-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"aec-product-description\" class=\"col-md-12 col-sm-12 col-xs-12\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aec-desc-review collapse\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLimited Loser Edition on transparent cotton-candy swirl vinyl. If you're looking for a raw, sugary blast of distorted pop, look no further than Weird Nightmare. The debut album from METZ guitarist and vocalist Alex Edkins contains all of his main band's bite with an unexpected, yet totally satisfying, sweetness. Imagine The Amps covering Big Star, or the gloriously hissy miniature epics of classic-era Guided by Voices combined with the bombast of Copper Blue- era Sugar-just tons of red-line distortion cut with the type of tunecraft that thrills the moment it hits your ears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese ten songs showcase a new side of Edkins' already-established songwriting, but even though the bulk of Weird Nightmare was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic some of it's tunes date back to 2013 in demo form. \"Hooks and melody have always been a big part of my writing, but they really became the main focus this time\" he explains. \"It was about doing what felt natural.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo be clear: Weird Nightmare is not a \"pandemic album,\" but an album-some of which had been gestating for quite a while-that just so happened to be recorded during the pandemic. \"I had always planned on finishing these songs, but being unable to tour with METZ, and forced to lock down, really gave me a push.\" After days spent homeschooling his son, Edkins would drive to the METZ rehearsal room and tinker deep into the night on these songs' deceptively simple structures and rich, static-laden textures. \"It was a godsend for me,\" he states about the creative process. \"The hours would disappear and I would get lost in the music and record. It was a beautiful escape.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeird Nightmare is, in it's own way, a study in extremes: Edkins' melodic instincts and penchant for dissonance are both turned up to the max throughout, the latter reflecting not only the barn-burning tendencies of METZ, but Alex's own sonic predilections. \"It doesn't sound right to my ears until it's pushed over the edge.\" He also cites other artists who are masterful at mixing the sublime and the punishing-Kim Deal and Scout Niblett among them-as influences on his own songwriting. \"My favorite songs are the simple ones,\" he explains. \"I've never been attracted to virtuosity or technicality. Certain songs have the power to lift your spirits like nothing else can. I wanted to create that type of song.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA few guests pitch in on Weird Nightmare: Canadian alt-pop genius Chad VanGaalen adds his unmistakable touch to the ever-escalating \"Oh No,\" while Alicia Bognanno of Bully lends her distinctive pipes to the thrashing \"Wrecked,\" a collaboration that effectively saved the song. \"I almost didn't put it on the album because I thought it was missing something,\" Edkins explains. \"I sent it to Alicia and she lifted it way up.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd taking risks and reaching out of Edkins' comfort zone was the name of the game when it came to making Weird Nightmare. \"I found myself doing new things I didn't have the guts to do before, recording everything by myself and trusting all of my musical instincts,\" he states. \"I think when music manifests quickly, a certain amount of honesty automatically comes along with it. When it is a purely instinctual creation, there is no opportunity to obscure the truth.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eLP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReleased \/ \u003cstrong\u003e0\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e6\/03\/2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSUB-1475\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e098787147506\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eWeird Nightmare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eSub Pop\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGenre \/ \u003cb\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Super D","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39940750835773,"sku":"POP-W-098787147506","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/products\/4070340-2802592.jpg?v=1652820925"},{"product_id":"weird-nightmare-weird-nightmare-23355866","title":"Weird Nightmare - Weird Nightmare on Sub Pop Limited Cotton Candy Swirl","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVINYL CONDITION: VG++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCOVER CONDITION: VG+ (corner wear \/ ringwear)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNOTES: 2022 pressing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRecords are graded using the Goldmine system, shown below for reference:\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSealed\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJacket sealed in shrink wrap or other original packaging. The vinyl in this case is sold as-is or not graded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNM (Near Mint)\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNo visible defects. No writing, stickers, spindle marks, or any other imperfections on label. Appears unplayed and unhandled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVG++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: May have some light wear including sleeve scuffs or other superficial marks that will not affect play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVG+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Will have some light wear that may include sleeve scuffs, very light scratches, or other superficial marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Similar imperfections to a VG+ record, but they're either more pronounced, or there is a higher number of imperfections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVG-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Many light scratches or scuffs. Any record with an isolated defect such as a single scratch that can be felt with a fingernail will have a VG- grade or lower. The record will not skip but some noise is expected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Many imperfections, including but not limited to scratches that can be felt with a fingernail. A lot of background noise, clicks, and pops should be expected with this grade.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Used","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40179629195325,"sku":"PLAID393546","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/products\/MBL_6851.jpg?v=1666115042"},{"product_id":"weird-nightmare-2-weird-nightmare-23355866","title":"Weird Nightmare - Weird Nightmare on Sub Pop - Limited Edition - Cotton Candy Swirl Colored Vinyl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINYL CONDITION:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStrong\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOVER CONDITION:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVG+\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e(Corner wear \/ Ring wear)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e2022 US pressing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecords are graded using the Goldmine system, shown below for reference:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSealed\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJacket sealed in shrink wrap or other original packaging. The vinyl in this case is sold as-is or not graded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNM (Near Mint)\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNo visible defects. No writing, stickers, spindle marks, or any other imperfections on label. Appears unplayed and unhandled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: May have some light wear including sleeve scuffs or other superficial marks that will not affect play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Will have some light wear that may include sleeve scuffs, very light scratches, or other superficial marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Similar imperfections to a VG+ record, but they're either more pronounced, or there is a higher number of imperfections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Many light scratches or scuffs. Any record with an isolated defect such as a single scratch that can be felt with a fingernail will have a VG- grade or lower. The record will not skip but some noise is expected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Many imperfections, including but not limited to scratches that can be felt with a fingernail. A lot of background noise, clicks, and pops should be expected with this grade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Used","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40750485504061,"sku":"PLAID424416","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/IMG_6496_981f514c-bd4e-4dd6-9c69-b1605dd9af67.jpg?v=1786041865"},{"product_id":"weird-nightmare-hoopla-colored-vinyl","title":"Weird Nightmare - Hoopla [Colored Vinyl]","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"col-md-12 col-sm-12 col-12\" id=\"aec-product-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aec-desc-review collapse\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery band worth it's salt has a member who worked in a record store. In METZ, the fearless noise rock trio who released five full-length albums on Sub Pop between 2012 and 2024, it was singer and guitarist Alex Edkins. Slinging indie rock and hardcore records in his hometown record store while attending university, Edkins became an ardent student of rock 'n' roll from the psychedelic 1960s to the DIY 1990s and beyond. Hoopla, the catchy, melodic second LP from Edkins's solo project Weird Nightmare, mixes and matches these influences in fun and exhilarating combinations, displaying his sophisticated musical mind. Bursting to life with hooks and earworms, Hoopla is that one tape that never gets ejected from the car stereo, but plays on repeat, soundtracking the summer. New and nostalgic at the same time, Hoopla will perk up your ears.\u003c\/p\u003e\nWeird Nightmare's self-produced, and decidedly lo-fi, self-titled debut was recorded at home during the pandemic and released by Sub Pop in 2022. Weird Nightmare displayed Edkins's indie rock sensibility, with a penchant for undeniable hooks and massive sing-along choruses.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn the new studio album Hoopla-co-produced with Spoon's Jim Eno and recorded at Seth Manchester's Machines with Magnets-Edkins expands Weird Nightmare's dimensions even further. New musical textures such as piano, bells, and castanets fuse with Edkins' straightforward songwriting to give these tunes a shiny luster. It's like a beloved indie director leveling up to their first studio feature. If Weird Nightmare's debut was an underground crowd pleaser akin to Richard Linklater's Slacker, then Hoopla is Edkins's Dazed and Confused.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eResplendent with sunny guitar pop, Hoopla was produced with just the right amount of fuzz and crunch. The immediate, unfussy recording brings you right into the studio with Edkins and his rhythm section: Loel Campbell on drums and bassist Roddy Kuester. This is top-shelf power pop; these sharp jolts of adrenaline could slip into a radio rock block between The Replacements and Elvis Costello \u0026amp; the Attractions. Or fit just as easily alongside Sharp Pins, Ratboys, and Alvvays.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAt it's heart, this album is an optimistic, shining light in our strange time. Through Weird Nightmare, Edkins wants you to know that he is still in love with the world, and he invites the listeners of Hoopla to feel the same. Take this chance to seize a glimmer of widescreen pop magic in our used-up old world. You deserve it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eLP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased \/ \u003cstrong\u003e05\/01\/2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cstrong\u003eSUB-1625\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cstrong\u003e098787162509\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eWeird Nightmare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eSub Pop\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre \/ \u003cstrong\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Super D","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43138410807357,"sku":"POP-W-098787162509","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/4492822-3526104.jpg?v=1777407950"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.plaidroomrecords.com\/collections\/artist-weird-nightmare.oembed","provider":"Plaid Room Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}