Naturally, the pandemic was a hard time for everyone. But for younger people, many missed out on two years worth of growing up. That was true for LA-based indie-rocker Black Polish, whose songs from their upcoming debut album Forest (Monsters Live In The Trees), out Jan. 26 via Riptide, were written during this time.
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Out of quarantine came tracks like their fourth single, “Void,” a defeated yet relatable pop-punk call from the void that doesn’t shy away from honest truths over hard-hitting production.
If the cover art, featuring an eerie-looking Jesus Christ, wasn’t a sign of the song’s religious content, the lyrics will be sure to change that. The second half of “Void,” in particular, finds Black Polish singing lines like “But I fear that Jesus hatеd me” with the kind of catharsis that takes years’ worth of introspection.
The relatable songwriting, paired with pumped-up drums that remain the only constant in the minimal instrumental, captures that honest coming-of-age angst that’s hard to shake off when the world expects you to conform. Even in its simple structure, “Void” encapsulates what makes Black Polish stand out despite clear inspiration from artists like Paramore. Just by stating their experiences, they make way for a safer place in music for similar artists to occupy and share their music.
More recently, things have been looking up for Black Polish, real name Jayden Binnix, who performed at this past September’s Echo Park Rising and opened up for Hemlocke Springs at The Echo in October. They’ve also been putting out fittingly dark, bloody visuals for songs such as “Graves,” which finds Binnix performing in the middle of the woods and in a graveyard. However, going back to the way things were was easier said than done.
“Though quarantine laws were lifted after a year, breaking from the shackles of depression and dissociation would simply not be possible,” said Binnix on the inspiration behind their album. With their album Forest (Monsters Live In The Trees) still on the horizon, Black Polish is looking to make a big splash in 2024 and continue to come into their own.
Words: David Sosa
“Void” by Black Polish is out on all streaming services. For more on new music and live shows, follow them on Instagram and TikTok.
