Formed in 2014, the Night Shift are an Atlanta trio that blend elements of anthemic indie rock and alternative pop to create dynamic songs layered in buoyant grooves and moody atmosphere. Consisting of Anthony Prince (vocals, guitar), Anna Messick (drums), and Kegan Krogh (bass), the band has spent much of the year working on their latest release, a six-song effort called the Maze Studio Sessions EP, which is out this Thu., Nov. 15. To help spread the word, the threesome have graciously allowed us to premiere the EP’s second single, “Broken People.”

Opening with the soft swell of sparkling guitars and lulling vocals, the song soon launches forward in a stormy wave—all cathartic vigor and tumbling drums. Like the rest of the EP, the track was recorded and filmed live, and there’s an immediacy to the band’s performance which deftly showcases their ability to marry kinetic energy with catchy songwriting. It’s clear the group isn’t afraid to pursue arena-swaying moments in their music, but while there is a grandness to “Broken People” that is ambitious, the end result feels poised and accessible.

Written in the aftermath of the 2016 elections, the track seeks to capture the tensions and deep anxieties that have gripped the large segments of the population, especially younger people confronted by an administration that has been antithetical to their needs and ideals. But while “Broken People” acknowledges a deep-seated anger and fear, it does so without losing sight of the need for hope to keep pushing forward.

“2017 was a weird year to follow, and it seemed that at the time, panic was welling up in the youth population as we started to become more unified and aware of our political standings,” Prince explains via email. “The song carries an amalgamation of emotions: sadness, suspense, anger, and the sense of hope to continue to do better. We just want more people to continue to challenge their environments and keep their heads up when it may seem impossible to do so.”

Although “Broken People” and the upcoming EP will mark a new era in the band’s development, the trio have already begun work on their first full length, which they hope to have ready for release sometime next year. It may seem counter-intuitive to leap into another project just as you’re completing the last, but for the Night Shift the move is one they’re eagerly looking forward to. “Releasing this EP sort of allows us a freedom to incorporate a mix of some fresher emotions to cleanse the foundation for the LP to build up from,” says Prince. “There may still be a song or two from the EP on there though, we won’t know for sure until we get there. 2019 we’ll be mostly recording, and also working out some new muscles in the form of introducing some videography and music videos. We’re pumped, and we won’t rest until it’s as beastly of a record as we hope it to be.”

The Night Shift will celebrate the release of the Maze Studio Sessions EP on Thu., Nov. 15 at 529 alongside Zale, Indee Killed the Pop Star, and Bazo Grey. Doors open at 9 p.m. admission is $7. 21+ to enter.

More Info
Web: thenightshiftofficial.com
Bandcamp: thenightshiftband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @thenightshiftpage
Instagram: @_thenightshift_
SoundCloud: @thenightshiftpage
Twitter: @_TheNightShift_