“AN ALTERNATE REALITY PACKED WITH LYRICAL PANDEMONIUM” | INDUSTRY STANDARD IMPRESS WITH CHAOTIC NEW SINGLE

SINGLE REVIEW | INDUSTRY STANDARD – CIRCLE JERK OF SADNESS by Michaela Roper

Industry Standard invite you to descend into a post-apocalyptic sonic wasteland in their latest track ‘Circle Jerk of Sadness’ – an explosively unhinged toe-tapper that oozes with charisma and in-your-face punk attitude. To the naked eye, the single feels like a chaotic, warped progression into environmental commentary, or a panic attack disguised as spoken word spiel, but ‘Circle Jerk of Sadness’ promises perfectly-crafted comedic irony encased in a heart thumping soundscape.

With the fearless frontwoman Gabriella Gonzalez at the helm of the outlandish four-piece punk outfit, there’s no doubt that every vocal jab and socially astute lyrical stint will slot effortlessly within the negative space surrounding the distorted guitar efforts and brash drum work. The track opens with a commanding solo courtesy of Phillip Stakem and Tim Sketchley as they infuse raw and honest talent into a bounding, layered instrumental. The band’s musical maturity seeps out of every snare and strum as they curate a backdrop to an alternate reality packed with lyrical pandemonium. 

In Industry Standard’s own words, the new track offers up a sample of ‘Wonky Tonk Swamp Pop’, channeled through discordant riffs that meet at an intersection between wacky disco rhythms and the theatrics of a cartoon-like spectacle. Lending an ear to the lyrical work of ‘Circle Jerk of Sadness’ drags you down a rabbit hole akin to the likes of Alice in Wonderland, just surprisingly more uncanny and unrestrained. 

The track ebbs and flows between mellow spoken word, and fired-up, angsty instrumentals. Gabriella Gonzalez adopts a dream-like vocal tone that brushes a glimmering glaze over hard-hitting commentary on the man-made universe, highlighting destruction and death whilst accompanied by an almost ethereal bassline and twangy rhythm guitar riff. There’s an instrumental climax waiting on every corner; drum beats come in like a slap round the face, squealing guitars launch into action without a second thought, and when the vocals fill the air with such commanding force, you can’t help but pay attention to them.

The repetition of lyrical stints like ‘moaning, groaning’ and ‘freak, tarnation’ encompass each element of the surreal, punk-laced industrial noise the quartet seem to be working towards. ‘Circle Jerk of Sadness’ follows the climate anti-hero turned post-collapse philosopher narrative in a punchy continuation of their previous release, ‘Blair!’ and it’s just as wacky as it sounds on paper.

Industry Standard have promised a theatrical infusion of social commentary within an absurd, visceral soundscape that just feels so achingly human. The band’s stream of consciousness approach truly reflects their raw emotions and immersive signature style whilst remaining instrumentally strong. The single gets you going, both physically and thoughtfully, and doesn’t shy away from dominating the sonic space that exists around it; an effortless expression of modern anxiety that has really broken out of the mainstream box.

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Michaela Roper

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