A curious and catchy concoction that is one part synthpop, one part industrial aggression, and one part punk, BumpHead brings all these elements and more into a cohesive blend on 2020's "HeadRush". A frantic and schizophrenic offering of different soundscapes a-plenty, it is truly a monument for how the world was at that particular time in our history as we all navigated the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting off with the aggressive anthem of "Enough", we are treated to pulsing, bassy rhythms, crunchy guitars, and shouted vocals that would be at home in New York's famous hardcore scene. Further on, "Too Shallow" brings out an interesting formula that sounds like if Wolfsheim and KMFDM had created a musical love child. Tackling the subject of mental health, it again serves as a reminder of when this album was written. "No Thought for the Dead" follows up with a more dance floor ready onslaught of bass and beats, accompanied by atmospheric electronics. "Patriot Bellows" follows suit, but with a definitively more aggressive attack from the synths, as sound bites paint the background with ominous messages. Hailing from New York, BumpHead has been cutting his teeth since the 80's in the post-punk and industrial scenes, and his expertise clearly shows. Bold, curiously clever, and unrelenting, "HeadRush" proves to be exactly that; an absolute banger of an album that deserves more attention.
Standout Track: "Enough".
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