Awolnation is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed and fronted by Aaron Bruno, formerly of Under the Influence of Giants, Home Town Hero, and Insurgence. Their music has been described as alternative rock, electronic rock, indie rock, electropop, pop rock, dance-rock, power pop, and hard rock. The band’s first two albums, `Megalithic Symphony` and `Run` were more electronica heavy while their third album, `Here Come the Runts`, onwards went for a more “‘organic’ indie rock sound”. They have recently released a new EP `Candy Pop`
This extended play opens with title track `Candy Pop` and it a glorious slab of electro pop, a delightful earworm of a track that becomes an almost compulsive listen with hints towards Bloodhound Gang`s `The Bad Touch` chorus line and some captivating chugging guitar riffs along with some intensely insane lyrics. We have a much more absorbed composition with `We Are All Insane` that opens quietly before bursting to life. A reflection on a week in the life of somebody who feels they are going mad. There a delightful yin and yang vibe as the musical accompaniment swings this way and that.
`Freaking Me Out` brings us back to a much more disco-esque vibe. It`s a truly mesmerising listen and a number that i`m sure art rock duo Sparks would have loved to have written. This EP closes out with a couple of remixes of the title track. First up is `Candy Pop (Flamingosis remix)` a laid back enthralling and at times hypnotic mix from Aaron Velasquez, a New Jersey-based electronic music producer, beatboxer and DJ who goes under the moniker of Flamingosis.
We close out with a reworking of the track from Elohim an American electropop recording artist, DJ, producer, and singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles in `Candy Pop (Elohim remix)`. It`s a superbly engaging electro spellbinding submission which really draws you in.
Aaron Bruno (vocals, rhythm guitar) was assisted by Isaac Carpenter (drums, backing vocals), Zach Irons (lead guitar, backing vocals), Daniel Saslow (programming, keyboards) and Josh Moreau (bass) to bring this extended play to life.
These tracks were my introduction to the joys of Awolnation and as they say better late than never. I found the `Candy Pop` EP at times unorthodox and eccentric but totally engaging and absorbing and can only hope this will spur the band on to release a full album as soon as possible.
Rating 9 /10
