In Rotation: Torch The Hive - Cut The Cord

Chicago pop punk trio Torch The Hive's second EP, Cut The Cord, mixes shouted snappy vocals with cleaner melodic deliveries and headstrong guitar. "Numbers" makes quick, effective use of that vocal switchoff. It's the first song on the EP, following an intro that comically reminds the listener not to take things too seriously. "Friendly Fire" and "Strings" make up the heart of this release - two back to back tracks that focus on the struggles of affording daily life. The former laments the difficulty of trying to find a good job following school, while trying to pay rent. It's a mid-tempo, jaded ballad of sorts with a heavy chorus. "Strings" follows in its wake with a punchy opening and a ripping ending. The chorus, shouted at the climax, again bemoans the role of a paycheck: "Money tells me what to say/Money tells me what to do/I can't live without it/I'm a puppet just like you."

"Hands Off" finishes the EP with some shredding guitar and lines about resisting temptation. Overall this a solid follow up to last year's Such a Wreck EP. Fans of bands like Fitness and Criminal Kids should check this out. Cut The Cord was recorded in Chicago at Million Yen Studios. Torch The Hive plays at Caliwaukee North on December 14. Keep your ears open for full details on that show. Stream Cut The Cord below.