Eora/Sydney-based heavy alt-rock powerhouses RedHook have today released their unflinching sophomore record ‘Mutation‘ – produced by Stevie Knight (Stand Atlantic), with assistant production from RedHook’s own Craig Wilkinson and mixed by James Paul Wisner (Underoath, Paramore). Order Vinyl + Bundles HERE.
‘Mutation’ is an audacious, genre-bending second album that is unblinking in its lyrical honesty, ambitious sonic production, and infectiously memorable songwriting. Incorporating influences ranging from alt-pop, future bass and hip-hop to metal, punk and post-hardcore, RedHook are wholly unafraid to be uniquely themselves, combining layers of intricate synths, brass, heavy guitars, samples and dynamic drum work to create an intoxicating 11-track cocktail that hits like a molotov.
Lead singer Emmy Mack on the album’s influences:
“With this record, we wanted to crystallize all the most unique parts of RedHook’s DNA and then put that on steroids. Stronger hooks, braver lyrics, bigger production, wilder collaborations, bolder musical choices, just an evolution in every way. From moments of deep pain and heartbreak to moments of rage and defiance, to moments of joy, celebration and just pure fun, ‘Mutation’ is an authentic statement of everything we are, and we hope you don’t get bored for a single BPM.”
‘Mutation’ is stacked with features from acclaimed acts Alpha Wolf, Holding Absence (UK) and viral metal star Vana (NZ), who appears on the record’s focus track ‘HEXXX‘, a self-professed “bad witch anthem” that combines inspiration from alt-pop artists like Ashnikko and Rico Nasty with dark, heavy femme-powered metal fury and a searing lyrical hook: “Cross me and you’ll be an X”.
Throughout the record, Emmy explores a range of important themes, from celebrating sexual liberation and empowerment (‘Cannibal‘ / ‘Hot Tub‘) to calling out misogyny (‘Bomb.com‘) and narcissistic abuse (‘Scream 2‘), all from a space that rarely hears these kinds of stories and perspectives.
Emmy adds, “At its heart, ‘Mutation’ is a record about growth, change and evolution. Not just when it comes to our sound but also to my own tumultuous journey as a two-legged chaos unit bumbling around on planet Earth. Since we wrote our debut album, I’ve spent a lot of time processing my trauma, working on myself, and just trying to be slightly less of a fucked-up mess. So this record also marks a big mutation in my headspace.”
Previous singles’ Bomb.com’, ‘Dr. Frankenstein‘ feat. Holding Absence (UK), ‘Pyromaniac‘, ‘Cannibal’ feat. Alpha Wolf, ‘Breaking Up With‘, ‘Scream 2’ and ‘Tourist‘ have all built over a year to create this kaleidoscopic record that is an ode to the band’s versatility and place in the modern heavy space.
To coincide with the release, RedHook has announced a trio of East Coast album launch parties in Naarm/Melbourne, Meanjin/Brisbane and Eora/Sydney during album release week. The mutant party will kick off at Naam/Melbourne’s Stay Gold on Wednesday, November 20, before heading to Meanjin/Brisbane’s newly revived 1UP Arcade on Thursday, November 21, and wrapping up at Crowbar on Friday, November 22. Each party will be themed based on a different song off the ‘Mutation’ LP, with RedHook treating their fans to free entry, a live acoustic performance, Q&A session, exclusive merch, photos & signings, themed beverages, and a prize for “best dressed”. Emmy adds, “We can’t wait to celebrate this album with the people we made it for! Join us for a mutant party for the history books!” The band also just finished a UK/Europe tour with Dream State (UK) and their biggest Australian headline tour ever, which saw them sell out Naarm/Melbourne’s 170 Russell.
Their debut album ‘Postcard From A Living Hell‘ peaked at #10 on the ARIA Album Charts and was triple j‘s Feature Album of the Week. The band recently made their long-awaited debut on triple j‘s Like A Version with a punk-goes-pop twist on Tate McCrae‘s ‘Greedy‘. Previous singles off ‘Mutation’ have been added to full rotation on triple j, and playlist support has been seen from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer. The band has also been featured on the cover of Spotify’s ‘All New Rock‘, ‘Rock Out.‘, ‘Homegrown + Heavy‘, and Amazon Music’s ‘Breakthrough Rock‘.
‘Mutation’ is available worldwide now
Order Vinyl + Bundles HERE
‘Mutation’ Track Listing:
1. ‘Pyromaniac’
2. ‘Breaking Up With’
3. ‘HEXXX’ feat. Vana
4. ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ feat. Holding Absence
5. ‘Bomb.com’
6. ‘Hot Tub’
7. ‘Cannibal’ feat. Alpha Wolf
8. ‘Hurt Like Hell’
9. ‘Party/Zombie’
10. ‘Scream 2’
11. ‘Tourist’
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