Straight out of Louisville, KY and keeping it real…real loud and badass, is four-piece outfit White Reaper. These barely 20-somethings are charging right out of the gate with a smashing mix of high energy punk and pop on their debut full-length album White Reaper Does It Again, available July 17th on Polyvinyl Records. Their powerhouse sound rides a distinct balance of rock ‘n’ roll fervor and pop restraint, and features the perfect collision of relentless punk beats, thunderous bass, clear but uproarious guitar, quirky keyboard leads and vocals thickly coated in distortion. The album feels like a throwback to the hey day of Toy Dolls, The Vibrators and The Adicts but still fresh with that edgy White Reaper twist.
Standout tracks include “Last 4th of July,” which is on one hand a blistering punk jammer, and on the other hand it oozes with ’50s rock n’ roll charm. It’s also complemented nicely by a simple but memorable video where the band takes swings with sledgehammers, bats and whatever else they can find, at junkyard cars. Meanwhile, via virtual means, the viewer gets to relish in the pure destruction and slow-motion capture of shattering glass, and all to the perfect soundtrack. This song might be titled “Last 4th of July” but I’d say it’s appropriate to play this song anytime you’re craving something fierce.
The spooky, video-game-esque keys and short, bright guitar solo on “Wolf Trap Hotel” rips. Even though this song isn’t a single it’s definitely one you’ll want to flag.
“I Don’t Think She Cares” is an upbeat number that is catchy as hell and could easily be defined as a hip-shakin’ pogo pleaser, expect to play this one on repeat.
White Reaper’s new album White Reaper Does It Again is due out July 17th. You can purchase/download via Polyvinyl Records. You can also stream the entire album via NPR.
Watch the video for “Last 4th of July” below.
Stream White Reaper’s “Pills,” “Sheila,” “I Don’t Think She Cares,” and “Make Me Wanna Die” below.
White Reaper Does It Again Track Listing:
Make Me Wanna Die
I Don’t Think She Cares
Pills
On Your Mind
Last 4th of July
Alone Tonight
Candy
Sheila
Friday the 13th
Wolf Trap Hotel
Don’t You Think I Know?
B.T.K.
The band gained some stripes from time spent on the road this last year touring alongside the likes of Deerhoof, Priests and Young Widows. While no Los Angeles dates are currently scheduled we can’t wait ’til they eventually roll through town. Stay tuned to their website for updates!
White Reaper share new video for “Pills”, announce tour with together PANGEA and & Alvvays
