LA-based post-punk band Agender just want to look good for the apocalypse with their latest cheeky, punk-disco track "Things Things Things" out today. It's a lighthearted commentary on consumerism and the band invites listeners to join them on a shopping trip with its accompanying self-directed official music video. Plus, the band promises to share their punchy, synth-punk third album, Berserk, which captures the band's distinctive manic, unhinged energy that matches living in today's world, early next year.
Over cutting guitars, melodic synths and disco drums, "Things Things Things" is a playful take on the endless quest to buy more to fill a bottomless void that never quite feels fulfilled. With lines like "Things, things, things, a material girl, not a moralist/I know everything is bad, I just wanna look good for the apocalypse," lead singer/guitarist Romy Hoffman says, "‘Things’ is the dancey disco punk anthem against consumerism we all need right now, in this age of late stage capitalism." The bassline came first, followed by the disco drum beat and guitars followed. The songs, like most Agender songs, flowed naturally out of Hoffman, who adds, "I didn't set out to write a song about late stage capitalism, it just wrote itself. I kept hearing 'Things Things Things' pop out of the rhythm section pocket." The track was written by Hoffman, produced by her and David Scott Stone (LCD Soundsystem), mixed by Spencer Hartling (Self Improvement) and mastered by Bob Weston (Shellac).
The video was self-directed and mirrors the playful energy of the track, aptly set in a Los Angeles mall. On the video, Hoffman says, "You can have inexpensive fun at the mall, and malls are such a big part of the L.A landscape. I thought it'd be fun to cruise around together, go shopping, try on clothes, have a day out as a band. I knew I wanted us to end up at a karaoke lounge."
Watch "Things Things Things" (Official Music Video)
The high energy forthcoming third studio album, Berserk, captures attention like never before, with tracks that are short to satisfy the collective shrinking attention span. Hoffman explains, "Berserk suits the times we live in, as well as the energy of the record. it's a bit manic, unhinged, wild!" Inspired by other artists making spirited, action-packed music, Hoffman continues, "Some of the songs are short, like, a minute and a half, because I wanted to explore writing quick, punchy, short attention span songs, because I noticed that a lot of songs on albums that I like by young, mainly hip hop artists, are super short and do a lot in such little time." Thematically, the music touches on queer love and heartbreak, aging, how some voids can only be filled spiritually.
Sonically, the group continues to carve their own path with their own distinguishable sound as the album traverses through manic synth punk, classic punk with big pop hooks, disco punk, hard, harsh post-punk, and combines regular punk band instrumentation with modern electronics.
Earlier this year, the band shared "Jeans" where the group begs for the tortuous details of their new lover's romantic history, along with the white-and-denim-filled video to match that pays homage to 90s-era jeans advertisements and friendly sleepovers.
Agender formed in 2011 as a solo punk project for lead singer and primary writer Romy Hoffman. Just two years later, it morphed into a trio, and by 2014, the band became known for their thrashing punk shows. The group's first album Fixations arrived that same year, and eight years later, the introspective, tongue-in-cheek second LP, No Nostalgia was released. Buzzbands LA called 2022's celebratory disco-punk anthem "Top Bottom Top," "deliciously throbbing." The band expanded on the track with an EP of remixes with the help of friends and queer icons–Le Tigre's JD Samson as well as Harvey Sutherland. Made up of Hoffman, Cristy Michel (bass), Christy Greenwood (drums) and Sara Rivas (synth), the quartet carves out a space that is uniquely their own–filled with fierce pride, a delicate balance of satire and earnest observations of life, and a piercing sound that energetically empowers and uplifts voices that are often stifled. With their third project on the horizon, the group aims to elevate their sound and step into an all-new phase of Agender–where they touch on real-world issues using their signature sound with a touch of danceable disco.
Agender play with consumerism as they shop for the end of the world with "Things Things Things" out now. Berserk, the wild, fiery third album by the quartet is due out early next year. Connect with Agender on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more from the punk rockers.
Watch "Jeans" (Official Music Video) | Listen Watch "Damaged Girls" (Official Music Video) | Listen | 
No comments:
Post a Comment