Playing out of Riverside, California, The Guilty Parties released their first new singles in almost two years. The ska punk band adds in a prog rock and perhaps new wave influences, lots of guitars, plenty of well controlled reverb, and upstrokes to establish their unique sound. This song carries what might be a high pitched electronic signal that might be from a synthesizer played throughout, which varies in pitch and has a rhythm to it reminiscent of more code on a telegram wire, and is played quietly in the background.
There is something about the song — perhaps the vocals — but maybe the through rhythm and the guitars that inexplicably reminds me of INXS. The sound clung to me as I listened to it on repeat, feeling something familiar yet completely foreign in its location, until I was drawn to listen to INXS, and that’s where the familiarity clicked.
The song is about instant success and the microcelebrity of the internet age. Everyone is famous and then forgotten. The lyrics are often clever and fun as the music transitions smoothly from rock to ska- punk, with a horn section that bridges both categories. But it’s the elements that remain consistent which lie under the foreground music that give the song its feel. The layered vocals feel almost haunting at times, as they beg my attention to lead slightly ahead and predict what will come next.
This song is really good, but its also a little jarring. It feels like it both belongs and doesn’t belong to any genre. It begs for a second listen, followed by a third. The Guilty Parties definitely stirred something within me with this track, and the buzz is making me want more. Take a listen below.
Written by Gimp Leg
