I’ll admit, I shouldn’t like what RedHook do. Their brand of hyper pop-infused rock has all the ingredients to be unbearable, yet as the Aussie band release their second album, you can’t help but admire their ability to deliver infectious hooks. ‘Mutation’ is the Sydney-based band’s second album in a matter of just 18 months. Since then they’ve been dropping a flurry of singles that make up the majority of ‘Mutation’s track listing. While this might be a gripe for some, you can’t fault RedHook for wanting to keep the momentum going that ‘Postcard From a Living Hell’ has provided them.
Going into the album blind, ‘Pyromaniac’s opening moments aren’t reassuring with its electronic bleeps and bloops and Emmy Mack’s hip-hop verses. Yet as it gives way to a favourable melodic chorus, you realise RedHook might have something. ‘Breaking Up With’ bounces in with an abundance of energy, and the occasional sultry sax flourishes. Lyrically, Mack takes the soul-searching route, adding a sense of sincerity to her songwriting amongst sleek and frenzied pop-rock.
If there’s one characteristic that RedHook is their ability to stir up swirling, textured sounds while making each track stand out, even if the results aren’t always good. ‘HEXXX’s mix of rapping bars, drum and bass beats, and thunderous guitars doesn’t quite pay off, despite it frantic tempo. ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ fairs better. Partly due to a cameo from Holding Absence‘s Lucas Woodland, it’s a powerful, towering slice of energetic pop-rock that sees Mack and Woodland complement each other brilliantly. ‘Hot Tub’ highlights Mack’s charisma with lyrical double entendres (“get the fuck in my hot tub”), while guitarist Craig Wilkinson serves up a firey guitar being backed by Alex Powys’ penetrative drums.
In contrast, ‘Scream 2’ is a messy whirlwind with an earworm hook. Its scattergun approach throws in electronic, snare-pounding punk, and glitch-effected metalcore breakdown. While it highlights RedHook‘s versatility, it doesn’t leave a favourable impression. Thankfully there are moments such as ‘Cannibal’ that allow their musical finesse to deliver. With its sexually empowering attitude, it strides forward as Alpha Wolf’s Lochie Keogh brings a metallic bite, providing ‘Mutation’ with one of its heaviest moments. Its momentum is carried through into ‘Hurt Like Hell’. Galloping with its bombastic energy, Powys’ drums charge forward battling Mack’s sizzling vocals.
‘Mutation’ proves to be an adrenaline rush of an album. Its weaker moments, and occasional stylistic missteps, are rescued by RedHook‘s assured capability to write big choruses. It’s assisted by a frontwoman in Emmy Mack who flourishes with personality, even if her rapid bars can come off a little disjointed. Behind her is a versatile trio that routinely delivers a vigorous and dynamic sound. Although there’s little to separate them from the rest of the pack treading in the electro pop-rock pool, RedHook continues to show potential.
‘Mutation’ by RedHook is out now on Adventure Cat Records.
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