Following their Spring 2020 headline tour announcement, Barnsley’s own ‘Hands off Gretel’ have revealed brand new details of ‘The Angry EP’.
The alternative rock, grunge band will be releasing the three fan favourites: ‘She Thinks She’s Punk Rock N Roll’, “Don’t Touch Me’ and ‘Bigger Than Me’, 6 March 2020.
All three tracks follow the same level of power, energy and honesty that band are renowned for consistently bringing to their live gigs.
‘Hands off Gretel’s’ unique style is audibly dynamic in all three tracks as ‘The Angry EP’ merges the vibrancy of a pop melody with the angst and raw honest emotion of 90’s grunge.
It is a punk rock powerhouse of attitude and rage that collectively challenges and speaks for those who cannot.
Each track is individually cathartic, as 22-year-old, lead singer, Lauren Tate motivation being to: “Sing for the outcasts, the weird kids, the ones that feel misrepresented in society and left behind like I do.”
Tate’s personal motivation is audible within the first track of the EP, ’She Thinks She’s Punk Rock N Roll’ as her sarcastic and aggressive vocalisation of the lyrics builds throughout into screams that power and move the track, immediately releasing the wild, untampered energy the band bring.
Both the guitar and drums collectively work to punctuate and intensify the power of Tate’s vocals and the lyrics being sung.
The ‘bubble-gum pop’ element is clear towards the end of the track with the increasing volume ending in a calmer more melodic piece accompanied by rhythmic claps to back the final vocals.
The second fan favourite to be released is ‘Don’t Touch’.
This tracks quick and raucous drum and guitar introduction completely sets the tone for the later chorus, which juxtaposes the calmer more melodic sound created in the verse.
Running through the tack is a deep bass which effectively acts as a reminder of the upcoming shift in dynamic.
There is a weight to the lyrics in ‘Don’t Touch’ which intensifies throughout, leading perfectly into the explosion of frustration and anger in the chorus.
The final track ‘Bigger Than Me’ arguably is one of the most cathartic on the EP.
The eerie guitar riff which accompanies Tate’s unnerving gasps and breaths entirely accentuates both the depth and texture of the lyrics.
As many fans would expect, the softer introduction to the song as doesn’t last long, with less than a second between the dynamics changing from a whisper to an explosion of brilliant sound.
It’s the contrast between the two dynamics which accentuates the colloquial lyrics used within the verses making the track a much more personal and meaningful experience, giving it the power to strengthen and energise a crowd.
Overall, ‘The Angry EP’ is an unapologetically brilliant rage outlet. It engages with the bands style, effortlessly merging genres to create the raw emotion and strength that ‘Hands Off Gretel’ are so well known for.
The EP will be available on CD and limited edition 10” white vinyl – alongside all major download and streaming platforms – and can be pre-ordered now from: www.handsoffgretel.co.uk