Bay Area noise rock band Never Young is coming full force with a trio of tracks called NY Singles, which comes to us from Father/Daughter Records. Never Young's sophomore effort will be out later this year, but the three songs that make up this new EP—"Stress Hed," "New Villain," and "Latex Heart"—were recorded with Deafheaven's Jack Shirley, and they won't be included on any upcoming albums.
Lyrically, the EP's first single, "Stress Hed," "is about feeling haunted by a sort of alternate side of yourself that you lack control over, or an emotion you unwillingly seem to return to," as the band told The FADER over email. "Stress Hed" doesn't mess around. It's the kind of song that evokes a lack of control, but it's clear that Never Young have more than control over the music they're making. "Stress Hed" is tight, its lyrics are on point, and more impressively, its structure is something to be admired. They jump right in, chanting sick sick sick (or is it six six six?). And then the chorus, a simple, melodic repetition of the words I'm not easy/ like your other friends (#same), that keeps coming around, in contrast with the vintage hardcore quality of the rest of the track. Never Young has made a deal with a strange ghost, and it seems like it's paid off. When a noise rock band combines '90s-reminiscent guitar with an earworm-worthy hook, they're going in the right direction. "Stress Hed" may be about a part of yourself that has reared its head without permission, but that's what makes this track something to return to. Stream "Stress Hed" below, and grab all three singles here when they're out on Friday.
10/02 @ Thee Parkside, San Francisco, CA with Makthaverskan, Lower, Wild Moth
10/06 @ Valentine's, Portland, OR
10/07 @ The Funhouse, Seattle, WA
10/08 @ Black Lab, Vancouver, BC
10/09 @ Tubby Dog, Calgary, BC
10/10 @ Up+Downtown Music Festival, Edmonton, Canada wtih Viet Cong
10/12 @ Stage 112, Missoula, MT
10/13 @ Neato, Spokane, WA
10/14 @ Neurolux, Boise, ID
10/15 @ The Press Club, Sacramento, CA with So Stressed
