New York's preeminent dirty intellectual scuzz-soul rock and roll unit the Brooklyn What have unleashed their ravaging new EP, "Minor Problems." It's their first release since early 2013's immensely well-received "Hot Wine" LP, the record that established them as a preeminent sonic force in contemporary rock and roll. In the ensuing months, they've continued to secure their status as an unmissable live band, warm and hip fixtures on the local scene, and most importantly as emissaries, always planting the flag for real ripping rock music; smart, exciting, unafraid of its own sincerity. "Minor Problems" was mostly cut in one crazy, sweaty late night at Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, and the resulting project crackles with the electricity of a live band, well-oiled, frighteningly efficient, and yet just mad enough to dare to risk going off the rails in the pursuit of rock and roll oblivion. In these four songs, The Brooklyn What flex their stylistic muscles through a range of sounds, from punishing hardcore punk to lushly romantic indie rock, to needle-sharp math abrasives, to the mantric psychedelic Kraut freakout that closes the piece. It's gonna leave you panting! Shall we talk about the musicianship? The Brooklyn What has always been distinguished by the crack-shot excellence of its players, and "Minor Problems" finds the members only elevating their craft. For one thing, they might have the hottest guitar line going right now. Evan O'Donnell and John-Severin Napolillo wield their axes like submachine-guns, fluidly trading lead lines and supplying the relentless chug that drives this music. And Jesse Katz on drums is one of the most wildly exhilarating bashers around, constantly hyperactively approaching the rhythms through fascinating prisms, evoking no one so much as Animal from the Muppet Show in his lustful pursuit of the rhythmic orgasm. Add Matt Gevaza's stinging, hammering bass guitar and you've got the kind of full blooded rock and roll squad from which dreams are made. And how can one not mention the band's singer, leader and charismatic center, Mr. Jamie Frey? There he is, riding the musical surge, alternately crooning, chanting, barking, screaming to be heard over the noise. On opener "Sledgehammer Night," he waits over a minute to make his climactic entrance, letting the dueling, spazzy guitars take the lead before dropping an atomic bomb over the whole thing with his howling vocal. On "Blowin' Up," he yowls scary punk like the very best of his forefathers, and then on "Metropolitan Avenue" he thrusts the heart-on-his-sleeve right into your face and makes you feel the wistful nostalgia that drives so many of us to rock. Closer "Too Much Worry" is the cosmic freakout in the batch, 8 and a half minutes of the band driving as if in a trance, through mesmerizing peaks and valleys. On this one, he shares the lead with his brother in arms John-Severin Napollilo, their voices blending as only those of great pals who have been playing rock and roll together for years can. What else is there to say? For those that believe rock is sacred, something worth fighting for, The Brooklyn What will give you hope. For those looking for a blissful freak out, some way to shred their way out of this long, hard and stultifying winter, "Minor Problems" is the way. Next time they're playing in your neighborhood, go sweat and scream and dance and shout with them. They just might change your life. -EL PRESIDENTE, Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen