Eora/Sydney alt-rock giants RedHook are sending their best for their debut album Postcard from a Living Hell, out today. The 11-track project is an impressive offering of contemporary pop-punk with nu-metal nostalgia at its core.
Featuring the singles “Low Budget Horror”, “Jabberwocky” and “SAY”, Postcard from a Living Hell showcases everything RedHook has to offer with features from some of the nation’s best bands right now. The record was produced by Stevie Knight (Stand Atlantic, The Dead Love) with member Craig Wilkinson and mixed by James Paul Wisner (Underoath, Paramore).
Upbeat opener “Postcard Xo” bursts out the gate with singer Emmy Mack’s powerhouse vocals over searing guitars, frenetic drums and modern beats. This sets the tone for the record by taking you to rock bottom with self-deprecating lyrics in a tongue-in-cheek style. The infectious melodies of “Jabberwocky” – an analogy of the mythical beast from Alice in Wonderland – hits out at injustice and transitions smoothly to “Off With Your Head”, an aggressive version of its predecessor with blistering riffs and manic drums.
Catchy hooks are abundant on “The Critic” and its call-and-response verses let the fast-paced track breathe between punchy lines and guitar solos. “Imposter” feat. Yours Truly is an EDM-tinged breakup song with chopped samples and the two vocal leads weave in and out of each other beautifully. Following is emo banger “Soju” feat. Sly Withers, a rebellious track with a compelling dynamic – and a tasty sax solo.
“Psych Vs. Psych” further expands their creative talents with deep growls and rap parts in a chaotic slice of frenetic passages and thumping synths. This is cranked up in “Low Budget Horror” as Mack switches between frantic screams and sweet cleans, bordering on drum-and-bass. Dark synth-pop cut “An Intervention” is perhaps the best-written track on the album disguised as a simple bop with an earworm melody.
These new waters are dived into for “Inarticulate” feat. The Faim, a heartfelt ballad with painfully honest lyrics and tearjerking acoustic guitar. Demonstrating a lower register, Mack is her most vulnerable on this track and Josh Raven’s vocals are particularly fleeting in a perfect way. Finally, bouncy closer “SAY” is an anti-misogyny anthem that finishes the album with a bang whilst addressing significant social issues. After all, what better way to get a point across than when everyone is singing with you?
RedHook know how to write a catchy hook and their upbeat bangers have made them a festival staple over the past few years. With short, fast arrangements and F-bombs in almost every track, it’s clear the album was born out of anger and frustration. While the lyrics are little conventional and the vocals feel somewhat overdone at times, Postcard from a Living Hell is a fun collection of sad songs that are equally empowering.
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