Minot: "Walls/People Pleaser" (2025) Record Review

Minot is a fairly new band based in Missoula, Montana, a trio made up of Flora Holland on guitar and vocals, Alex Molica (of KP & Me, Towner, The Brown Bottle Flu, Seattle Stomp) on guitar and vocals, and Noah MacKinnon on drums. These guys released their first album, And You're Not, in April of this year (that release is on cassette, though it is also available to download online). That album features some fun and cool original garage punk music, with some darker elements to certain tracks. They've now followed it with a single, this one released on vinyl, a seven-inch. This record was mixed and mastered by Hunter Jones.

The A-side song is "Walls," which was available to stream starting in early June. The song begins with a sort of frantic count in, and then kicks in to become an absolutely delicious number, with something of a classic vibe. "Flip a switch right there and it's light, light, light." It's so good to know bands are still delivering this sort of thing. This music will take you back, for sure, but is not immitative. It is familiar, and yet fresh. In the middle, there is a sudden break in the music. "Wish I could be happy." And then it begins to build again, and interestingly there is another frantic counting off. After that, the guitar takes over for a bit, a cool instrumental section. There is an ache, a sort of haunted aspect to the vocal delivery from Alex. "The walls are closing in on me, and I can't see the sun." 

The flip side is "People Pleaser," which was previously unreleased. This one is also counted in, but in French. It immediately sets itself apart from "Walls," having a sweeter vibe, sort of like a bit of the paisley underground scene meets the garage scene. Yeah, it's wonderful and catchy. There is something cheerful to the guitar work. This one features Flora on lead vocals, and she has her own great style, her own delivery (with maybe a bit of a Nico influence). "People pleaser, gonna squeeze ya/Make us love you, we're in charge of you." 

Record Track List

Side A

1. Walls

Side B

1. People Pleaser

Walls/People Pleaser was released on September 19, 2025, pressed on traditional black vinyl.