The Duo, Paris Texas, Release “Force of Habit”

Two of 2021’s best non-album releases belonged to Paris Texas, an L.A.-based duo with a vivid musical imagination. BOY ANONYMOUS was the introduction, eight tracks that ranged from melancholic to furious, with howled melodies and John Carpenter references bouncing off huge electric guitars and bass. The hype continued to build with October’s Red Hand Akimbo, an EP that saw the end of the Ditch-Maid universe, and assists from friends like Kenny Beats and Mac DeMarco.

They even crammed in some tour dates between spikes, unveiling a live show as meticulous as the music itself: plastic sheeting wrapped the stage, bloody handprints smeared the walls, and the pit was consistently active. Louie and Felix performed between a circle saw and some tires, had musical cues, and a mid-show costume change—all in all, it was a reminder that these two are not short on ideas or energy. After years of working together, Paris Texas was prepared for this breakout moment.

At this release rate, we’re feeling hopeful about a full-length release from Paris Texas in 2022. Though to be clear, that’s based on nothing more than blind hope—Louie and Felix have been quiet about new music since October, when RHA dropped with no advance warning. “Holding out as long as you can is really fun,” they told DIY in December, “because it lets people interpret the art for what it is at the time. When they want to know something about you, they can just go to your music and that’s where they can be updated about something that’s going on.”—Graham Corrigan

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