What’s Your Emergency?
My friends I’m going dive straight in here as I am overcome with excitement at the new EP from our bona fide emo heroes The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. A gallant effort that was mostly recorded whilst on tour and is a testament to the world right now. The single ‘Brace Yourself’ is a song that has definitely lifted my spirits and with the line ‘break the glass in case of emergency’ you know I never thought I’d see those words in a song. Genius. It is dedicated to the frontline workers who are giving their all to fight this pandemic, incredibly melodic and blissful and at 0.44 that chorus, DAMN! It flows wild and free, and remains true to the pop punk ethos of equality for all. The band don’t shy away from the tough issues, they are vehemently against racism, sexism and all the other ‘isms’ that plague us, they stand with all the marginalised groups that have been tormented over the years. Hallelujah! A call to end bigotry and hatred is the subject in ‘Don’t Buy Into It’ and it joins the rest of the metal scene who are working tirelessly to get the correct messages across. For all those hopeless romantics there is ‘A Long Time Ago…’ a fizzing, whizbang firecracker that sizzles and smokes madly, electricity overload on the guitars as they attack on the front foot.
A resolute and tight group of musicians who can easily find a home in your heart, you know it’s the right thing to do. It’s so good to see them back, they still hold onto ‘that’ sound freshly squeezed and bursting with flavour and awesomeness. They have been remembered for ‘Face Down’ which tackled the ongoing crime of domestic violence, this EP takes it up a level as our enemy is now everywhere. As with domestic issues, victims are crying out to be heard, our friends RJA have heard that cry.
‘Is This The Real World?’ has the telling line ‘it’s in need of a saviour, so save her’ an accurate depiction of everything that is wrong. A daunting realisation next in ‘we are not getting younger’ from ‘Stuck On Repeat’ I don’t think we need reminding, but what we do need is an acceptance of what life should be for us all, leaving no one behind.
‘Please Unfriend Me’ is the finale, featuring a solid intro leading into a softer verse, maintaining our interest and attention. A record that is passionate and truthful throughout.
Jumpsuit, jumpsuit cover me.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – The Emergency EP out now.