NODEGA CONCEPTUALISE CURIOSITY WITH LATEST EP ‘ROT IN HELVETICA’
EP REVIEW | NODEGA – ROT IN HELVETICA by Morgan Hermiston
American rock quintet BODEGA come thrashing back with new EP under alter-ego identity NODEGA. ‘Rot In Helvetica‘ is a punk-pulling portrayal of the world. Released via Chrysalis Records, the self-described “mini-album” expresses ruthless revelations about self-identity and consumerism.
Their frontman Ben Hozie stated, “a lot of what gets called ‘indie’ these days has zero connection to an underground anti status-quo state of mind“. Instead, it is “more associated with easy listening folk pop“. This relates to BODEGA’s previous album, ‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life‘. The 2024 record was a concept album surrounding the “corporisation” of indie-rock. ‘Rot in Helvetica‘ is an eight track product of this mindset, resulting in Hozie’s “yearning to thrash towards a state of bratty beatitude“.
After a thirty second introduction through opener ‘Monthly Follower‘, NODEGA quickly get into the grit of the EP’s concerns. The release’s only single ‘Quantify‘ calls into question authenticity. Everything seems to have an attached numerical value, “everything you see, it must be rated“. While the star rating on this review potentially appears contradictory, the persuasive lesson in the tune comes from the lyric, “quantify enough information, I can change what you’re feeling inside“.
NODEGA’s attention to detail is immediately brought to life, with riffs and vocals matching each other in their intensity. ‘Guess What‘ and the EP’s title track are perfect presentations of this. The first of these encourages listeners to “change input” and “take control,” when developing their own beliefs. Lyrics further emphasise this, stating that you “can’t fulfil your function, if all pleasing is your goal“. Precise production continues into ‘Rot In Helvetica‘, allowing every word and instrumentation to be heard effortlessly. Objectivity and observations go together with lines like, “the status quo is sensitive,” and “your youth is just a franchise“.
Tackling negativity head on, ‘Comatose Chameleon‘ is the only track over three minutes in duration. Depicting a description of what horrible mindsets does to individuals, and those around them, NODEGA inspire an inherent desire to call this out. “Your is hate is contagion,” is stated and, “the worst crime of all, is that you make the world feel so fucking small,” is repeated.
Observational sentiments continue into ‘Network‘ and ‘Show The Scaffolding‘. These tracks appear to be continuations of one another, making vivid the idea of showing more vulnerability. ‘Network‘ pits the facade of building bigger networks and having a “narrative to personalise,” against actually getting to know someone. The latter track, ‘Show The Scaffolding‘, personifies demonstrating vulnerability as revealing a foundation layer to a building. The phrase, “I’m under construction, always under construction,” is a striking summary.
Closing track ‘Gestation Crate‘ is a memorable end to what is already an immersive EP. It brings clarity to the concept of attitudes and behaviours developed over a prolonged period of time. Two lyrics in particular paint this picture, “pain is so unique, and that’s not just my vanity,” and, “I’m on top of the food chain, that came from Christianity“.
‘Rot in Helvetica‘ is an EP that provokes thought and discussion, while providing a cathartic and catchy soundtrack for such notions. NODEGA, as a further identity to BODEGA, join the likes of The Hives in their raw sound that reveals ruthless views of the world around them. It is refreshing to hear such honesty amongst tunes that are still pleasurable to listen to.
