For a country that supposedly places so much emphasis on exceptionalism and civic pride, we sure love our anthems about getting the hell out of Dodge. Or, alternately, songs about coming home and discovering a hollowed-out shell of a place we once held dear. (I’m looking at you, Springsteen.) In the case of “Mill Town,” the latest single from Atlanta’s Mountain Party, we’re offered a pulse-pounding screed that examines the latter as a woman returns to her gentrified hometown, only to find luxury lofts have replaced the textile mills that once employed her family. Sound familiar, anyone?

From a sonic standpoint, “Mill Town” follows much in the vein of “Proletariat,” the lead single from the group’s forthcoming EP of the same name. It’s a briskly paced working-class punk jam that does its darndest to tap into the do-or-die exhilaration of blue-collar groups like the Gaslight Anthem—and, in large part, it succeeds. Set against a network of spring-loaded guitars and propulsive drums, the song hurtles forward with both intensity as poise as vocalist/guitarist Justin Green lays out the case for our protagonist’s anger and bitter dismay: “She says ‘This whole town is a miracle / How do all of you not go insane?’ / Everyone says she’s crazy / But they swear they’ll pray.”

Shot at the EARL and at Standard Electric Recorders where the band recorded the EP, the video is relatively simple and straightforward, which helps channel the plainspoken spirit of the song. There’s not much by the way of fancy effects or visuals, but instead it relies on the track’s boisterous energy and sharp hooks to carry the day. Watch/listen above.

The Proletariat EP is out Apr. 5 via Bear Kids Recordings. Pre-orders are available here.

Mountain Party will celebrate the release of the Proletariat EP with a pair of shows. The first goes down on Fri., Apr. 5 at Camp Hope alongside TRAGWAG, Dakota Floyd, and Reconciler. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. All ages. The second takes place on Sat., Apr. 6 on the Georgia Theatre Rooftop with Pony League. Doors open at 5 p.m. (special daytime party). Admission is FREE. 18+ to enter.

More Info
Web: mountainpartyband.com
Bandcamp: mountainparty.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @mountainpartyband
Instagram: @mountain_party
Twitter: @mountain_party