Highly Suspect, Slothrust
The Sylvee 25 S. Livingston St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
$34 ($30 adv.).
press release: Highly Suspect are excited to announce their third album, MCID, with two new singles, "16" and "Upper Drugs". The project is an adventurous new chapter for Highly Suspect and spans across rock, hip hop and pop, and includes features from Young Thug, Tee Grizzley, Gojira, and Nothing But Thieves.
MCID is based on inconceivable true life experiences (and perceptions) narrated by frontman, Johnny Stevens. In his own words, “The themes include self loathing, substance abuse, image issues, addressing my past and changing my future, with a sprinkle of anti Trump, false social media worship, heartbreak, hope, depression and suicide. There are also a few references to the pressures of fame and how I won’t play into it.”
The lead single, "16" is about a first love and a moment of instant heartbreak. The lyrics describe the true story of Johnny Stevens falling in love at sixteen years old, fostering a relationship for seven years, and feeling elated when she told him she was pregnant with their baby. The song describes his instant devastation the moment of the birth when he found out that the baby wasn't his, the baby was a different race. Though a wild story, the lyrics capture the gut wrenching feeling of first love lost, betrayal, and regret.
Praise for Slothrust:
"You’re never going to fully figure out Slothrust, but rest assured, it’s well worth the effort... the LA-by-way-of-New York power trio is a juggernaut of cannonball riffs and lyrical intrigue." — Billboard
“Listen to songs by Slothrust, and you'll hear aggressive sounds that hearken back to early-'90s rock bands like Nirvana and Dinosaur Jr. Listen more closely, and you'll also hear elements of the blues that the band’s members learned when they met in their college's jazz program." — NPR
"The Pact, the fiery alt-rockers’ fourth LP... which was produced by Billy Bush in Los Angeles, was recorded with the confidence that comes with not being crunched for time... a true “studio album.” — Consequence of Sound