Los Angeles isn’t all palm trees and sunshine, and Black Market Heart lean fully into that other side. Formed by Spencer Robinson and Shawn Medina, both formerly of The Lords of Altamont, alongside Tina Brugnoletti, the trio deal in late-night tension rather than West Coast ease. What Happens in the Dark sits somewhere between post-punk grit and noise-pop haze, built for empty streets and flickering neon.
Photo by Tina Brugnoletti
The record was tracked quickly over two days, and that urgency comes through. There’s no polish here, just sharp guitars, driving drums and basslines that keep things moving. Robinson’s vocals sit clearer in the mix this time, while Brugnoletti’s harmonies add a bit more weight without softening the edges.
Opening with the title track, What Happens in the Dark wastes no time. It’s short, direct and built on punchy, almost Ramones-like chords, but lyrically it leans into isolation rather than attitude. Radio Smash follows with a more rhythmic, almost disco-leaning pulse, repeating its hooks until they stick. Self Destruct With Me pushes things harder with layers of guitar effects, while My Brain Is Poison strips things down into something more exposed and uneasy. Closer Coyote shifts the pace again, stalking forward with a bit more movement and tension.
Across the album, the band clearly pull from names like The Jesus and Mary Chain and Joy Division, mixing distortion with melody in a way that feels familiar but effective. The atmosphere is consistent throughout, but that’s also where it slightly trips up. A lot of the tracks follow a similar structure and sonic approach, which makes the record blur together over time. There’s a strong identity, but not always enough variation to keep it fully engaging from start to finish.
That said, it’s still a solid listen. It captures a specific mood and sticks to it without overthinking things. No gloss, no filler, just a band locked into a sound and running with it.
Release date: April 14 | Label: Self released | Facebook
Tracklist:
1. What Happens In The Dark
2. Radio Smash
3. Coyote
4. Self Destruct With Me
5. Without My Pills
6. My Brain Is Poison
7. Girl Dreams
8. Give Me Power