The always active Ryan Allen is scared and angry and frustrated, yet unlike most of us, he has the talent to channel all those emotions into fuel for writing catchy rock tunes. It’s a coping mechanism masquerading as a creative habit that, honestly, we are jealous of and grateful for. His new three-song EP, They’re Coming For Us, is a solo outing with Robby Miller on board as producer, mixer, and masterer.

The title sums it all up, and it’s not even figurative. The title track is a punk rock anthem that still has that Ryan Allen spark but carries an amount of venom normally reserved for his other project Big Life. This Ugly meanwhile displays his ’90s jangle power pop tendencies, its edge lying more in its message: the struggle of not wanting to believe people can act this rotten. Allen channels his inner Billy Bragg on closer Hurry Up And Wait, no percussion, just a plugged-in guitar and his voice delivering unvarnished truth.

This EP comes unexpected, but its urgency hits hard. Digital EP out now on Setterwind records, with all proceeds going to Democracy Forward.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp