Magnum Dopus Drops New LP ‘Suburbanova’

Released on August 20, ‘Suburbanova’ is the new album from Memphis Tennessee-based quintet, Magnum Dopus.

The ten track long-player is reminiscent of the likes of Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, David Bowie, and The Smiths with muscular beats, helicopter guitars, and thought-provoking, intellectual lyrics.

The new record blends 80s New Wave, with pysch goth, while new single, ‘Scratch & Dent Blonde’ has elements of all the above artists (very much reminiscent of The Smiths’, ‘This Charming Man’), as well as contemporaries like Peppermint Heaven.

‘Scratch & Dent Blonde’, coming in at number 4 in the new album, is an upbeat track with a frenetic instrumental – fast paced percussion competes with jangly bass and lead guitars (the latter from time to time breaking out into an uplifting solo), while never once managing to outpace the vocals. It’s a pleasing track from a very appealing album, and will certainly find a place in the hearts of fans of neo-80s music…as well as anyone else who listens.

‘Suburbanova’, released on August 20 this year, touches lightly on post-punk stylings, while staying true to the band’s signature 80s sound.

Although Magnum Dopus have a sound which transcends the decades, they trace their genesis to 2017, when vocalist Andrew McCarty and guitarist George Cole jammed together, after their previous bands had dissolved. The quintet released a handful of singles and EPs throughout 2019, and dropped their debut album, ‘Hizumi’, in December that year.

Returning to the studio in early 2020 to record their sophomore album, Magnum Dopus found their sessions in turmoil, with the result that George Cole had to take a leave of absence, and instead a new line-up was formed, including Tristan Barton on bass, Sarah Spain on keyboards and BVs, and John Floyd on drums. Floyd joined Andrew McCarthy on production.

‘Suburbanova’ is available to buy from Bandcamp, and stream on Spotify. Listen to ‘Scratch & Dent Blonde’ below.