Prototype

It’s been a little while since we last heard from CRASHFACE. After a string of singles, the British duo dropped their debut EP ‘HEAVY INFECTIOUS’ back in 2021, showcasing their riotous take on the emo genre with fantastic tracks such as ‘Loading Screen Infinity’ and ‘Molotov Smile’. Now, two years later, they’re back with their second EP, ‘Prototype’.

Across these six tracks, CRASHFACE demonstrate just how they have evolved since their debut, smoothing out the rough edges around their sound to produce tracks that are far slicker and polished than anything they’ve produced before. Yet despite this, the pair have lost none of their punk edge, with raucous guitar work, thunderous percussion, and acerbic lyricism still being the core of what the band create.

Taking inspiration from contemporaries such as Wargasm and Enter Shikari, CRASHFACE kick off their new EP with ‘Scream’, a huge metal nightclub banger that showcases perfectly just how CRASHFACE have evolved since their last release. It’s more melodic, but still plenty infectious, and that last breakdown segment is simply an absolute riot.

The lead single ‘Lovedoom’ packs a bit of a pop punk vibe that really adds to how catchy it is, especially during choruses which are guaranteed to get stuck in your head after only a single listen. The bridge is pure emo bliss, especially with a lyrical callback to My Chemical Romance’s ‘I Brought You My Bullets[…]’.

‘No Hands’ is a groovy little cut with some utterly filthy guitar riffs, especially during the chorus. Charlie Hinton delivers his lyrics with a nu-metal flair, and the ‘look ma, no hands’ hook is punchy enough to lift you off your feet. And the guitar riffs only get better on ‘Goosebumps’, with an absolutely killer riff riff that plays in the intro and choruses. The second verse is one of the best things this band has produced with how it builds with frenetic, aggressive energy, before hitting a brief moment of serenity to then then slamming back down to earth with the chorus

‘Flak Jacket’ is something of a burner, with a far more melodic focus than previous CRASHFACE material, with soaring choruses that are an impressive sonic switch-up from the band. The EP then closes with ‘Steel’; spacey synths undercut surging guitar riffs and crackling percussion for a fantastically energetic closing statement with big choruses that are simply way too infectious.

‘Prototype’ showcases that CRASHFACE have continued to improve and redefine themselves in a multitude of way, and indicates that the duo have the potential to create a full album of work without letting down the energy or impact of their sound. Whilst for sure you can hear their inspirations loud and clear, the music across the span of ‘Prototype’ remains dynamic, inventive, and compelling.

CRASHFACE are a real dark horse of the latest wave of British rock, and an outfit that you should absolutely lend an ear to.