Ever since their formation in Oxford, England, back in 2017, Shaven Primates have been working tirelessly at creating an artistic vision of dark-wave, art-rock, and proto/post-punk that keeps breaking the very essence of its medium in the search for innovation. There is something about the boldness and the clarity of purpose with which this quartet functions; they have the unique ability of taking the most fragile aspects of humanity, such as fear, consuming passion, and rage, and making them into an empowering experience for everyone who dares to listen to them. And here we are today, with the release of Kill The Algorithm EP, a set of four tracks that represent the absolute pinnacle of their magnificent oeuvre, hitting us like a thunderbolt on July 31st. Sit down and open the volume, because it is high time we talked about why this band is in a whole different league now.
The first song, “Saviour,” starts with an ominous rumble of bass and then moves to a sharp cut through from a guitar with definite 90s influence. On the lyrical level, the song hits right at the heart of human frailty, exploring the overwhelming urge to seek outside help in those moments of desperation in which the burden of life becomes too heavy to bear. The song reveals the poignant fear of the feeling of being vulnerable to having someone else decide for you, revealing the haunting fear that no help will come, that nobody will fix you, that you will have to be on your own and deal with the consequences of your actions. There is something beautiful about exploring this tendency in this age of turning to anything but yourself, looking for some outside help to shut you up. Musically speaking, Shaven Primates construct an awe-inspiring edifice out of the remains of the past alternative scene of the 90s. Feel the faint traces of the decadence and angst of Placebo, the claustrophobic industriality of Nine Inch Nails, the spiraling, hypnotic, and morbidly beautiful melancholia of A Perfect Circle, all tied together through the rough, ragged, and abrasive edge of 90s grunge and the ferocious beats of thrash metal. The result is an experience in audio textures wherein each distorted bassline, each fray of the guitar feels as though it was bled directly from the heart of a band at the highest point of its power. Those who have the privilege of hearing it will be left in awe by its transcendent quality, one which leaves you both dizzy and grounded, as well as with a pounding heartbeat.
From a broader vantage point, “Pioneer Way” starts off with a manic, syncopated beat on drums and a razor-sharp guitar staccato reminiscent of the high-energy punk of the late 70s. The theme itself is a razor-sharp and unforgiving assault on the insidious nature of the rise of nationalism, of conformity, and of the annoyingly prevalent nature of flags taking up territory over all public areas and free thought. It functions as a satire but, more importantly, a scathing satire of tribalism, showing just how easily geography and false patriotism can be manipulated into forcing the vulnerable into hostile camps. This piece was born out of a jam session and was inspired by the very real-life problems guitarist Tom experiences; it has been transformed into a passionate deconstruction of all of the issues he rants about, especially the strange national obsession with putting flags everywhere. Drawing on the raw intensity of the Sex Pistols, the group can draw straight from the searing fire of that raw, white-hot anger and existential angst that characterized that legendary punk rock of the 70s, proving that Shaven Primates not only have something to say but that they know how to say it.
As we dig further down the digital pit, “Feed” begins with a foreboding noise of artificial feedback with an increasing frequency until a powerful wall of guitars with metal chords comes crashing down upon us physically. From the lyrical perspective, the song focuses on the destructive environment that exists online and on the predators in the online world that take advantage of the vulnerability of young men who don’t even have time to get back on their feet before dating, taking advantage of their insecurities to present them as victims of an idea that suggests that they need to fit a certain stereotype to become lovable. The song is a brutally honest depiction of manipulation, toxic masculinity, and the bitterness that is created in digital echo chambers through lyrically mature musicianship, which shows that Shaven Primates are way beyond their peers in the industry. As far as musicality goes, the song comes across as being the most brutal composition in the entire EP, borrowing its fierce aggressiveness from both the intense sound of Rage Against the Machine and the heavy metal power of Metallica, while channeling the band’s own personal frustrations against these contemporary hustlers. Using powerful percussion instruments along with heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs that emulate a tightening of a vice, the music perfectly captures the raw aggression of the theme. Meanwhile, the vocals go from a manipulative and smooth-talking tone in the verses to a raw and violent shouting in the chorus, showing the massive range of the vocalist. The listener will feel completely battered by the end of the song, making them realize the unpleasant truth about how easy it is for modern culture to exploit our weaknesses in return for money.
The trip ends with the song, “Kill The Algorithm”, which starts differently than the three other songs. It starts in a totally new sound world, hollow and cold and powered by a hypnotic pulse of the synthesizer before the song enters an eerie world with an echo of the drum machine. In terms of lyrics, it highlights the main point of the thesis for the whole album, directly jumping into the current, terrifying situation on social media by using dangerous algorithms to get inside the vulnerable and impressionable minds of youths to radicalize them so much that some of them start thinking about harming or even killing people. The track poses the terrifying question: Is the same platform that gave us people such as Charlie Kirk an opportunity to appear on earth the one that also makes killers out of innocent youths? We look at the horrible situations such as the death of Jo Cox in the UK, where we know that there is much more to it than meets the eye, but what is happening for sure is the propaganda. And the way out of the spell? Well, just look above in the title! Musically, Shaven Primates venture into a big, incredibly cold sonic world strongly reminiscent of the innovative sadness of Radiohead, avant-garde texture experiments by David Bowie, and the post-punk despair of Joy Division. Cold wave synths layer over a driving yet minimalist bassline and a reverberating drum machine line, painting a picture of the most futuristic isolation imaginable with an amazing amount of production restraint and artistry. Vocals are performed in a very restrained yet eerie deadpan voice, which pierces through the mix without screaming about it. Its effect on the listener is highly meditative and reflective; it will leave you in total silence after it finishes listening and staring into your bright screen with newfound caution and burning need to unplug and rebel.
It seems that Shaven Primates have completely outdone themselves. “Kill The Algorithm,” they took things further, embracing a more aggressive style that is a collision of hard rock and punk and is splendidly infused with the intelligent unpredictability of art rock.
After such masterpieces as the one that delves into the captivating mystery of “Desire” in Chasing The Dragon, the rabbit hole of “Alternative Thinking” in Birds Aren’t Real, and the dark tunnels of “Childhood Trauma And Addiction” in Child Of Dirt, this EP targets the theme of “Anxiety and Control.” It goes without saying that this is a group that does not hold back, opting for an approach where they swing their punches as passionately and hard as possible into the throat of modern society. From the first sound to the last lingering one, this record is a complete success, and working with artists of this magnitude is truly an honor. I can hardly wait to work with them again.
Stream the “Kill The Algorithm” EP on Spotify
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