With the release of their new EP arriving just in time for Halloween, Hip to Death have unveiled the record’s first single, the band’s first since last year’s stand-alone offering “Stay Faded.” The trio, lead by wife and husband duo Kasey and John Breedlove, have been working hard on their sophomore LP, TMI America , the follow-up to their 2011 debut Punk Will Never Die But You Will, but wanted something to help build momentum heading into 2016. The band recorded the stopgap EP at their Roswell residence, using only a 4-track Tascam cassette tape player. Digital conversion and mixing was done by Collin Derrick.
The initial thrash of noise and dissonance immediately bring a sense of urgency and tension to “Death Valley USA.” Guitarist John Breedlove infects the listener with an onslaught of abrasive leads and bends. It’s a piercing and overdriven mash of sounds that feels coiled and apprehensive like it’s coming from a man on the brink of losing it all. The lyrics, while sparse, are drowned win angst and lethargic self-loathing.
The balance within the song derives from the consistent yet hard driving basslines backed by pop-infused and straightforward percussion. All in all it’s a welcome return as once again Hip to Death have taken the raw energy and sentiments of frustration and disappointment and melded it into a whirlwind of dance and noise. Listen below.
Hip to Death’s new three-song EP will be available on the stroke of midnight on Halloween via Die Indy Records.
More Info
Bandcamp: hiptodeath.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @hiptodeathnoise
SoundCloud: @hip-to-death
Twitter: @hiptodeath