Excerpt: “Iretsu’s sound—one that’s vital, confusing and, in a rare change-up for these predictable days, unexpected—is still totally modern. Its latest full-length, Fang, proves that we all should have been paying more attention all these years... Few bands work with space as well as Iretsu: Songs like the short instrumental ‘Swells’ and the circular ‘Sleep’ are given ample room to breathe, stretch and stumble along to a satisfying ending. Fang is not a bombastic record, but rather one that slowly grows on you after repeated listens… Fang isn’t meant for anyone looking for instant gratification or ‘the next big thing’… Of everything on Fang, ‘Humbuzzer’ is the easiest thing to latch on to, but it’s just one of many treasures available if you’re willing to give the band time to settle in. Iretsu obviously took awhile to make something it was proud of. The resulting record demands—and deserves—the same patience out of its listeners.”

Local Cut

Excerpt: “Fang is equal parts swelling atmospherics and jagged melodies… The title track builds slowly over chiming glockenspiel and simmering synthesizers. When ‘Fang’ finally arrives it has the mathy pop of Pinback– angular, funky guitar lines and call-and-response vocals. ‘Humbuzzer’ is full out post-punk, driving drums and droning noise that feels too short at 2:31.  But Iretsu is just at home playing with space and sound. ‘Kiddo’ and ‘Swell’ are contemplative, airy, keyboard-driven pieces. ‘Sleep’ is a mellow, spaghetti-western waltz complete with bass backing vocals and whistling. Fang is an intent and cohesive record for Iretsu. It’s been a six years since they first released a full length, and the time has suited them well.”

Oregon Music News

“Iretsu’s new album was written in four improvised sessions, but Fang isn’t a quartet of burly, extended compositions. Rather, it’s a string of 14 brief, interconnected songs, which bear pop hooks over an experimental foundation. Electric piano and guitar drive the majority of the tracks, and Iretsu harness full-throttle rock on ‘Humbuzzer,’ with slice-and-dice guitar riffs and a relentless drumbeat. Elsewhere, ‘Sexy, No?’ flirts with a funk strut, ‘Hey You’ makes use of found dialogue by a woman who sounds like Jane Fonda, and the title of ‘Nuclear Whistles’ is more or less what it sounds like—high-pitched drones whooshing before a guitar riff drives it into the following track, ‘Waves.’ Iretsu has evolved capably over the past eight years, embracing a number of guises. With Fang, they’ve made some of their most approachable material yet, balancing it perfectly with some of the weirder shades in their palette.”

Portland Mercury

Excerpt: “Yesterday I knew nothing about the existence of Iretsu. Today I’m anxiously awaiting May 27, when I can hear the rest of their new album. This track reminds me of how music used to sound when I was 18 and everything was new to me… it just sounds fresh compared to most of the things I’ve been hearing for a while”

You Ain’t No Picasso