Everything Opposite - EP - Simple Creatures

The combination of Mark Hoppus and Alex Gaskarth is one that is surprising yet makes perfect sense. Surprising in that one of the founding members of one of the most influential pop-punk bands of the 90's started writing music with a band member from a group heavily influenced by his own band. Blink-182 and All Time Low have been closely associated for some time, but now will always have a direct connection in the form of Simple Creatures. I wrote a bit about how a season of depression that weighed heavily on Hoppus lead to the writing sessions that gave birth to the two EP's the group has put out in my review of Blink-182's latest album, NINE. It gave the project a different sense of importance - not just being born out of two like-minded musicians coming together to make music, but two human beings who were both struggling with darker feelings and thoughts who came together to try and harness that energy into something with life and purpose. I was already a fan of the project from the first release, but reading some of the backstory for how it came to be really raised my respect and appreciation for both these men as artists and people.

Now, musically & lyrically speaking, I think this release is the stronger of the two. Both the lead singles, "Special" and "Thanks, I Hate It" were intensely captivating in different ways. "Special" had a bit of a raw, visceral energy to it - specifically the contrast of the stripped down verses and the explosive chorus. The electric guitar line is what really gives the song it's gritty feel, as well as Gaskarth's high vocals and Hoppus' deep harmonization. "Thanks, I Hate It" has a bit more of a peppy, poppy feel to it & some really great lyrical lines - "I'm too sweet to be salty about it" & "this outrage is all the rage". It's hard to listen to the song and not have it lingering in your head.

The other tracks we got felt very consistent in their strength while being quite varied in sound and tone. Immediately the EP switches from an almost swagger ("Special") to a more subdued, melancholy sound in "One Little Lie". The beat during the chorus adds a sense of urgency to the lyrically charged track: "I lost my faith in drinking, I lost my voice again", or "my head gets heavy everyday, like it's filled with rocks and memories; I tell myself one little lie, and the pain don't phase me" are just some examples of the clever yet vulnerable writing in this song. The inversion vocally, however, is a more subtle change - reversing the roles from the previous song and having Gaskarth sing a bit lower and Hoppus belting out his melodies high and loud. "NVM" is similar in the contrast, taking a more upbeat, almost cheerful sounding instrumental and laying down relational woes on top. Just the simple & subtle shift of the main chorus line: "you were never mine, so goodnight & nevermind". The song has a soundtrack feeling to it, like something you can see in a movie when the main character messed up and their relationship seems like it's on the brink of exploding or disappearing forever. A very cinematic vibe.

Speaking of cinematic; to me, the highlight of the release is "The Wolf". The first time I listened to this EP, the moment this song came on, I immediately perked up and listened even more intently. The contrast of the huge bass and the Sleigh Bells inspired guitar-riffs and screeches is hard to resist, but it's the vocal delivery that truly completes the song. Hoppus & Gaskarth's yelling and almost immediate switches to a near whisper draws the listener in even more, leaving them craning their neck to hear before being blown away by the sudden wall of sound that erupts from the speakers. It's the outro that's the true masterpiece, the real reason I keep coming back to the song and listening over and over again. The last 30 seconds are an adrenaline inducing thrill ride of a roller coaster that I cannot get enough of. Just in the span of writing this paragraph, I've listened to the song three times, and each time the song ends I want more and more and more. The guitar and bass and drum machine all come together to make a truly move-worthy moment - I can already see it providing the soundtrack for a truly heart-pounding scene of action and drama.

I always, always am really excited about collaborations between bands I enjoy. Obviously they don't always pan out so well, but sometimes they're just the right combination. Simple Creatures is a perfect pairing. Gaskarth and Hoppus have come together to take familiar sounds and mash them into something new and exciting, and I truly hope it continues to produce more pieces of pure audio pleasure.

Recommended: The Wolf, NVM, Special, One Little Lie