HOUSE OF PROTECTION
Outrun You All
RED BULL
10/10
TRANSCENDING GENRE: House of Protection proves they have what it takes to become your new favorite band with the release of their sophomore EP, Outrun You All. If you play this collection of songs immediately after their debut EP, GALORE, it will feel like a continuation and expansion of the duo’s original dream. When Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta created House of Protection, they wanted to free themselves from the creative restrictions commonly placed on artists in the music industry. GALORE was their first taste of this freedom, and Outrun You All is the fever dream sister to that liberation in all of the best possible ways.
Seamlessly combining an array of styles and influences—including art punk, atmospheric trip-hop, relentless hardcore, and underground electronic—Outrun You All is a musical chimera. Each individual element is a strength unto itself, but when they’re combined as one, they create something uniquely unstoppable. The EP starts with “524å§ł€€|°,” a brief interlude and introductory track that sets the tone and pace for the rest of the songs. Ethereal and melodic, it bleeds perfectly into the first notes of “Afterlife,” which includes the fitting lyrics, “Back like we never left.” The digital aspects of the track pair well with heavier vocals. Once the drums kick in, it drops into a weighty feeling with a catchy chorus that compliments the instrumentals. This feels like the clearest representation of House of Protection’s musical style and Jordan Fish’s production, and it serves as a strong look into what fans can expect from the rest of the EP.
Next up is “Godspeed,” a song that features more hyper-pop influences than others in the band’s discography. The rapping/spoken word declarations transition into more mellow singing, and the drums continue to be the heaviest component here, like they were in the track before it. “Godspeed” is chaotic, but the type of chaotic that makes you want to listen to it over and over to find new things to love with each playback. It’s the most physical representation of that fever dream liberation, and you’re led through the madness by an undercurrent of hypnotic melodies.
“I Need More Than This”has a 90s vibe to the instrumentals at the beginning of the track, which pairs well with atmospheric vocals. It sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack of The Fifth Element. House of Protection creates these entire moods/worlds/stories in each song that are totally unique, and yet they all come together to tell a complimentary storyline throughout the EP. There are quieter moments throughout the song where they really let the instruments and electronics breathe before plummeting you back into a crescendo of noise. Guitar riffs are particularly strong and dreamy on the back half of the track.
“Fire”comes out of the gate with a strong, anthemic declaration of “If you know what you desire, hit ‘em with, hit ‘em with, hit ‘em with fire!” This feels most similar to the band’s debut GALORE, but in a way that showcases their ability to grow and improve as artists over such a short period of time. It’s fun to listen to and shout along with at shows, and it’s a strong introduction to who and what the band is for those unfamiliar with them before now. The, “F-I-R-E, ARE YOU WITH ME?” chant in the middle of the song builds excitement before delivering on a breakdown that feels like the perfect release of that adrenaline.
“Phasing Out” is, per Red Bull Records’ press release, “the most electronic-influenced, breaks-heavy track.” The emotional tone to the vocals is both in contrast to, and complimentary of, the chords and beats playing out simultaneously. Deep, relatable lyrics display a sense of pain that lend a feeling of melancholy to the track despite its slightly upbeat tempo. It’s the most interesting song on the EP due to the sheer artistry needed to pull something like this off successfully. The song is, in essence, a radio hit you can cry to in your bedroom and feel less alone.
The closing track on the EP is “Slide Away,” which has cemented itself as a favorite in this new collection.Ethereal singing leads into a heavy breakdown before more spoken words play over powerful guitar riffs and drum beats. It’s a perfect blend of 90s rock and 2000s electronicore. It’s the type of song you listen to as a musician and think, “I wish I had written this myself.” Heavier notes bookend the softer sections of the beginning, making for the catchiest song in the collection.
Outrun You All shows that House of Protection is going to keep transforming themselves into an entirely new entity every time they reintroduce themselves. Like a caterpillar on its way to chrysalis, they’re on the cusp of evolving into something even more beautiful and eye-catching as their career continues. ~ Sam Cohen
