Maryland emo flamethrowers Pinkshift moved in a more hardcore direction on April's "Evil Eye," and that heaviness continues on "Anita Ride," their rad new single out today. It arrives along with news of new album Earthkeeper, dropping at the end of August. "Anita Ride" finds all three core Pinkshift members going Super Saiyan: singer Ashrita Kumar howling and growling with unchained passion, guitar Paul Vallejo doling out monster riffs, drummer Myron Houngbedji beating the shit out of his kit. They sound formidable.
Kumar offered this statement on the track:
It's essentially a release, a reminder, a cathartic moment to give yourself permission to share the weight that you feel in the moments you feel heavy with grief with others and give yourself credit for everything you have done. I felt like this song was a moment where we all very obviously, as a band, shed our old skin. This is the first track you hear Paul and Myron singing prominently on a track — we are all intentionally united. I found my roar. What made me more powerful in this moment was leaning into losing control, leaning into trusting my community, and leaning into the uncertainty and chaos that are the transitions of life.
The second verse was inspired by Kendrick [Lamar] for me. I wanted to channel the way that he talks to his higher self in his greatest moment of self-doubt, because self-doubt is the enemy of creativity. The feeling that I have less is the enemy of my prosperity.
Watch the band's self-directed video below.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Love It Here"
02 "Anita Ride"
03 "Evil Eye"
04 "Don't Fight"
05 "Patience"
06 "Spiritseeker"
07 "Blood"
08 "Freefall"
09 "Suspended"
10 "Reflection"
11 "Vacant"
12 "Something More"
Earthkeeper is out 8/29 on Hopeless. Pre-order it here.
