The hardest thing to fake about alternative rock of the 90s variety is the sense of despair, like laughing at an incoming mushroom cloud. Gawn are able to do that.
I suspect they’re playing, but they do it very well. The intro sounds like the Pixies, and they quote various alt-alumni like Wavves and King Tuff.
They’re on our side, they write good songs, and just like Paul Westerberg always advised, they never let anyone see that they try.