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Eve 6

Hyper Relevisation

Written by: PP on 22/12/2022 22:10:24

I gotta say, I'm loving this new, punk-fueled incarnation of Eve 6. We saw an indication of a stylistic change already on their previous EP "Grim Value", and the transformation appears complete on their fifth and first full-length in a decade, "Hyper Relevisation". FEST and like-minded festivals, here they come, which is a radical departure from their 90s-styled alternative rock. Sure, albums like "Horrorscope" had similar production, but the garage sound and rapid tempo means this version of Eve 6 is far more entertaining than anything they've put out since their seminal self-titled debut album.

Take the opening track "Rosy Shame", for example. It is an incredible cut, one of the best they've written, drawing from the mid-90s Foo Fighters playbook. Its "shaaaaaame, shame shame" choruses are ridiculously catchy. It's simultaneously one of the fastest tracks they've written to date, giving distinct punk rock undertones to its alternative rock sound. Similarly, "Careerist Lyricist" is damn catchy, featuring a raw sound brought about by screeching guitars. It's highly energetic and grabs you along right away with a sing-along chorus, just like "Mr. Darkside". Here, we're arguably at the brightest Eve 6 has been to date with a cheerful, upbeat chorus that has a driving atmosphere to it. I'm loving this.

Then you have tracks like "Androgyne Friend" balancing the punk undertones with easygoing, laid-back alternative rock. It's a signature style Eve 6 song that takes me back to the "Open Road Song" days. Its quirky lyrics and the catchy chorus of "I wanna be with my kind, but they're so hard to find, I wanna be with my androgyne friends, I'm so inclined" make it an instant hit that should surely ride the radio waves across the US. "Shoulda Known Better" is also in the same category. Its relaxing pace and soothing vocals offer great contrast from the rest of the album.

Elsewhere, "Get You" provides a glimpse towards a heavier Eve 6 with a loud, soaring chorus and loads of distortion both in the vocals and the guitars. It's a different look that takes a few listens to get used to, but in the end, it's still pretty good. "20 Ton Weight" is also in the same vein, but less interesting overall.

Unfortunately, it's not all rosy on "Hyper Relevisation". Songs like "Christlover 3K" are a heavy contrast to earlier, featuring rock'n'rollish alternative rock that sounds too weird to work in practice. "I Mean You" feels equally like filler compared to the excellent tracks mentioned earlier in this review.

Despite having a few misses, "Hyper Relevisation" is arguably the strongest album Eve 6 have written since their debut. The rowdy atmosphere of "Rosy Shame" and "Careerist Lyricist" is exactly what they need to go for in the future as well. These are some of the best songs the band has written throughout their career, and together with "Androgyne Friend" and "Mr. Darkside" help lift this record into the extremely solid category.

Download: Rosy Shame, Androgyne Friend, Careerist Lyricist, Mr. Darkside
For the fans of: Foo Fighters, Elway, The Hives, Ocean Grove
Listen: Facebook

Release date 23.09.2022
Velocity Records