One High Five is like some sort of explosion. The Long Beach-based outfit leave shards of music shrapnel flying from each of their songs—shards of jagged, fuzzy, and endlessly fun, musical shrapnel. Diving into a full-length album, you’re bound to get hit in the head once or twice, but don’t let that stop you. Their new album Beardlip is an incredibly enjoyable listen from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of the scuzzy, guitar-driven sounds of California, pay attention to this band… and pay attention to this record. We’ve been hooked ever since we first laid ears on it.
On their new album Beardlip, Long Beach-based outfit One High Five explore the impact of multiple lineup changes with undying energy.
Across the album’s twelve-track run-time, One High Five (led by primary songwriter David Sauer) pull in myriad sonic directions, creating an undying feeling of charming chaos. And while, sonically, the album bursts at every seam with infectious energy, it still holds an impactful lyrical honesty.
The new album was made during a ‘mass exodus’ of band members. Usually, following such a large lineup change, a musician would be inclined to go forward with little mention of former members. But Sauer has taken the complete opposite approach. All throughout the new record, Sauer explores the five lineup changes he has endured—something he sees as a defining part of his musical identity.
“Initially, I didn’t want to mention past band members, but it’s part of my story,” he says.
“Continuing lineup changes have left me feeling vulnerable with a warped sense of trust in myself. I am trying to refocus my journey and be a positive source of inspiration to myself and others. Sadly, I think a lot of people can relate to wanting to be free of the need of approval from others and the self-doubt that prohibits them from moving forward.”
The result is an album that seems determined to keep a party rolling, despite any set-backs. And oh what a party it is.
Do yourself a favour and listen to the new album above.
