Bad Anxiety No Shit EP
Hattiesburg, MS has in recent years cultivated a reputation for churning out some killer punk and hardcore—BAD ANXIETY upholds and furthers that tradition with their first vinyl release. This slab ‘o wax absolutely smokes! The ten cuts were originally released on two separate tapes, the COVID-era brainchild of Mississippi madman Hampton Martin. This solo project cum full band has stirred a lot of interest in the punk world for good reason. The songs are quick, ferocious, and catchy as hell. Smart, biting lyrics are delivered with the right blend of snot and snarl, backed by an aggressively overdriven rhythm section and contrastingly clean guitar. This combination leads to the perfect lo-fi cohesion, where the production doesn’t get in the way of the songs nor detract from the eruptive energy. The release has a timeless quality that makes me think it could’ve come out forty years or forty days ago. The second track, “Police,” bears a striking resemblance to the CIRCLE JERKS song “Red Tape.” I doubt that’s coincidental, but either way, it rips. As someone who has mostly lived in small towns, “Big City” strikes a particular chord, and when BAD ANXIETY barreled through my town, I’m pretty sure the kids picked up some of their “Cool Moves.” This is a crucial ripper of the finest variety. 10/10.
