When I stumbled on the artwork for the new United Stare 7″ (a dark, brooding silhouette of Stonehenge backlit by a burst of yellow-green sunlight, overlaid with bold military stencil lettering in a style that evokes anarcho-punk’s DIY aesthetic), it caught my attention. It looked like some classic ’80s hardcore punk single. Then I clicked play and was enthralled by its title track. The song evokes Chubby and the Gang in how it takes elements of street punk, hardcore, and rock ‘n’ roll and smashes them together. Then the second song, Burning the City, kicks in, and it sounds like a hardcore band experimenting with rock and power pop. Driving guitar rhythm, catchy melodies (the band cites Joe Walsh), and even some ooohoohoo’s that contrast nicely with the raw and honest vocals.

These two songs alone would make for a fine single. There’s more though. Moon Landing II is a 7-minute instrumental. If the first two songs were built on urgency, this one is built on repetition and tension with mesmerizing results. Kill Enemy Records pressed 500 copies, but still, this sounds like something you don’t want to sit on for too long.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp