by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Melbourne via Hobart quartet It Thing recently announced Constant State / P.C.H, the much anticipated follow-up to their excellent 2021 debut Syrup. Out now via Marthouse Records (AU) and Feel It Records (US), the band come burning out the gate with their signature chaotic energy, but more importantly, their sound is glued in massive hooks. It Thing make the type of punk that rattles around in our head long after the songs finish, darting back and forth with corrosive guitars balanced by sweetened melodies. Their jet propulsion tempos draw upon classic proto-punk structures, ripping with a reckless abandon, but the songs themselves push toward power-pop, driven by constant earworms. It Thing don’t depend on the chorus to weave in their hooks, they’re doing it every turn, from Charlotte Gigi’s punchy vocals to the design of the bombastic riffs.
We recently featured “Constant State,” the new single’s A-Side, drawing attention to the song’s “blistering hooks and raw punk swagger,” calling it “brilliantly catchy and full of delightful attitude.” It really has a giant presence, howling and snarling with a smile on its face. It Thing make punk music that feels resoundingly fun. “P.C.H” continues in that regard, an explosive track that feels like a cross between early hardcore and radiant pop-tinged post-punk. It’s coming apart at the seams and Gigi’s vocals manifest the sentiment, howling through rapid fire verses and a mesmerizing chorus that wallops with dizzying melodies. It Thing continue to prove themselves to be one of the most exciting new bands, full of combustible promise.