JP Anderson is a busy man. As mentioned in our interview with the Rabbit Junk/The Named/Wolves Under Sail frontman earlier this summer, Anderson has had to juggle a mountain of different projects with his family life and education as a Politics graduate for the past few years, and yet here he is continuing to throw out high quality releases on a consistent basis. This time around is the powerhouse of “Beast”, a much more electronic affair than before but still providing plenty of the staple RJ sound fans know and love.
From the off you’re treated to a number of things new to the Rabbit Junk sound. ‘Dig Dug Has A Posse’ is full of 8-bit samples from the classic video game glitching across the track while in ‘Fffriends’, JP tries new vocal styles, jumping from softer singing into some of the most vicious screams he’s ever performed, including the manic aggression he displayed in The Named’s self titled effort. The more prominent vocals of Sum Grrl will be welcome for fans too, as something fans have often bemoaned the lack of on releases such as “Project Nonagon”, with her lead vocal role on the title track ‘BEAST’ being a real highlight on the EP.
Speaking of the title track, this is the track you need to hear in order to hear what will perfectly summarise everything modern day Rabbit Junk is about. Catchy and fun lyrics, well executed samples and chugging guitars surrounding an altogether more accessible sound as a perfect melting pot to appeal to both electronic music fans and rock/metal fans. The only track that can top this is the instrumental closer, ‘Sporecrystal’. A late addition to the EP to replace the gabber-punk ‘Blue Slush’, this track has more than earned its place as EP closer with epic riffs and use of choir, creating something worthy of a blockbuster movie in its audacity.
The main problem with the EP is that for a few of the more rock-oriented fans and new listeners, the electronic influences of “Beast” may not immediately appeal and the more hip-hop influenced ‘Locked’ is confined to the role of the weakest track on the EP – as the most similar to a previous song on this EP (the song’s genre combination feels somewhat similar to the “Invasion” EP’s ‘Thug Baby’). The important thing to do with Rabbit Junk is to never dismiss a release after one listen, because once everything clicks into place you’ll have a new favourite band ready and waiting for you. While ‘Locked’ is the weakest track on this EP, that doesn’t mean to say it’s bad, but with the ever evolving state of their sound, it would perhaps have been more suited to one of Rabbit Junk’s earlier EPs rather than this one.
Overall this is a must have for anyone looking to try something new and different from the general metal or electronic scenes. Sitting as another strong addition to the Rabbit Junk discography, and their most accessible, it provides a great entry point for new fans and is free for good measure.
Rabbit Junk’s new EP, “Beast”, is out October 28 via Glitch Mode Recordings. Follow the band on Facebook for more information and updates.
