Album Review: Lost Control Freak by Periko 61 – A Raw, Unfiltered Garage Rock Gem
Periko 61’s Lost Control Freak is a gritty dive into the world of garage rock and lo-fi aesthetics, hailing straight from the Netherlands. Released under the artist’s own label (L. S. Periko Self-released), this album feels like a DIY labor of love that doesn’t try too hard to impress but ends up doing exactly that. It’s messy in all the right ways, with tracks that feel raw, unpolished, and refreshingly human. For fans of chaotic guitar riffs, moody vocals, and an overall “I-recorded-this-in-my-basement” vibe, this one might just hit the spot.
The standout track for me has to be Heatwave. Right off the bat, it throws you into this wall of distorted guitars and pounding drums that feel like summer heat trapped in a small room—sticky, overwhelming, and impossible to ignore. The vocals have this lazy, almost indifferent tone, which works surprisingly well against the relentless energy of the instrumentation. It’s not perfect, and honestly, that’s what makes it memorable. There’s something about how the track builds and then abruptly shifts gears halfway through that feels like losing control—and maybe liking it.
Another track worth mentioning is Guardian Angel. This one takes a slightly different approach compared to the rest of the album. It starts slow, almost dreamy, with these haunting loops that repeat over and over again until they get stuck in your head. Then BAM—it kicks into high gear with this driving bassline and crashing cymbals that make you sit up straight. It’s got this weird balance between chaos and calm, like someone trying to hold themselves together while everything falls apart around them. Honestly, I couldn’t stop humming the loop reprise long after the song ended.
Other tracks like Out Of Sight and Tears And Spoiled Hairdo keep the momentum going, though they don’t quite reach the same heights as Heatwave or Guardian Angel. Still, there’s plenty here to sink your teeth into if you’re into music that prioritizes vibe over perfection. The production quality screams lo-fi, but hey, that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Sometimes less polish means more soul.
What struck me most about Lost Control Freak was its refusal to take itself too seriously. In a world where so much music feels calculated and overproduced, this album feels like a middle finger to all that. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but that’s what gives it charm. By the time you get to the closing track So Long, Francoise H..., you might find yourself wondering why you didn’t press play sooner.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like finding an old mixtape at a thrift store—you don’t know who made it or why, but you can’t help but smile at its scrappy brilliance. If you’re looking for something polished and predictable, this ain’t it. But if you want rock music that feels alive, warts and all, give Lost Control Freak a spin. Who knows? You might lose control yourself.
