Adventure Cat Records are off to a flying start this year. Last week we heard the new Blanket album and this week we have an EP from The Jewelry. Formerly known as Killgurls, this Sacramento trio formed in 2024 and have spent the last couple of years shaping a sound that pulls from punk, noise and melody without ever settling into one lane. There is a restlessness at the heart of what they do, tied closely to a wider refusal to be boxed in, whether musically or personally.
The Jewelry are Aidan Jacques (Guitar/Vocals), Vanna Rose (Bass/Vocals), and Sal Stinson (Drums). After releasing a steady run of singles, most recently ‘Please Kill Me’ back in November, the Powder EP feels like the moment where everything clicks into place. The EP balances aggression and control beautifully, never tipping into chaos, but never sanding off its rough edges either.
Let’s get in amongst it and see what we have.
The EP opens with ‘Cake’, and straight away there is a sense of a band drawing influence from that 90’s alternative sound. The guitars grind and scrape, but they do so with restraint, allowing the tension to build rather than explode immediately. The rhythm section holds everything firmly in place, giving the track a brooding confidence that draws you in. The vocals are incredible; they are the glue that binds their sound together.
‘Kim’ follows and shifts the energy completely. Short, sharp and direct, this track wastes no time in making its point. This is immediate, sounding lean, focused and utterly convincing. If you’re looking for an “in” to who The Jewelry are then this is perfect. The guitar riff on here is excellent and is sure to win them an army of fans.
‘Julie’s Lunch’ stretches things back out again and introduces a more uneasy emotional space. The band is definitely tipping their cap to Sonic Youth or maybe Babes in Toyland here while bringing their spin to the party. I love the dynamics where the song dips the vocals go low and slow and then when it the song ignites, we get the full fury. This song is going to go off when played live.
Keeping that art rock vibe going ‘Spoonfeed’ leans into repetition and pressure, building its impact gradually rather than all at once. The bass plays a central role here, anchoring the track while the guitars scrape and snarl around it. There is confidence in how long the band allow ideas to sit and develop, trusting the song to do its work without rushing toward a payoff.
Closing track ‘Please Kill Me’ feels like a natural conclusion. As a recent single, it already carries a sense of assurance, and here it sounds perfectly placed. The songwriting feels focused and direct, the dynamics clear, and the band sound fully aware of their own strength. It pulls together the EP’s core elements without softening any of its edges, leaving you with a clear sense of who The Jewelry are right now.
The Powder EP feels like the sound of a band arriving with clarity and confidence. There is real intent running through these five tracks, a sense that The Jewelry know exactly how hard to push and when to hold back. The balance between aggression and melody never feels accidental, and the EP flows as a cohesive statement rather than a collection of singles. What stands out most is how assured they already sound this early on. If this EP marks the point where everything clicks into place, then The Jewelry are clearly just getting started, and it feels like Adventure Cat Records have another vital band on their hands.
The Powder EP is out now via Adventure Cat Records.
You can follow The Jewelry on social media here…
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