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Jun 08, 2018 Flasher By Lee Adcock

Rare are the times that anyone can parse through their spiraling doubts stacked against the modern world, let alone conceive a reply. The questions never cease: “Am I original? Is my identity all-consuming? What holds me back?” Yet Washington, DC trio Flasher surge with danceable dialogue on their full-length debut, a lightning-strike leap from the post-punk shadows of their first EP into full-color radio waves. As Emma Baker pinpoints patterns on the drums, and Daniel Saperstein cuts razor-straight bass lines, Constant Image can race just as fast as yr addled head—or at least Wire, like on “Who’s Got Time?”

But in this go-round, our eloquent protagonists split from their adrenaline-driven peers with their wickedly slick, New Wave-y style. Taylor Mulitz’ expanded palette of neon guitar tones (“XYZ,” especially) lend the effortless cool of early Ultravox and Associates, while perky synths and Saperstein’s delicious sneer evokes the chrome sheen of The Cars (“Material”). Yet Flasher prod around the shiny veneer, offering oblique rationale that not only identifies your existential malaise, but also lends an uncanny hand up. This reviewer can’t stop bobbing to “Harsh Light,” which speaks to crippling self-inspection; “Business Unusual” mocks macho policemen from the cigar lounge with a super-cheesy sax assist (Romeo Void, anyone?).

Above all, though, Constant Image demands an indelible present. When Saperstein cries “no future, no fate” in “Skim Milk,” you’re gonna either shout along or dance along, and that’s the point. By crushing inertia and fostering dialogue, Flasher can help ya outstrip that spiral of doubt with a single command: “go.” (www.flasher.online)

Author rating: 8.5/10