EP Review: Fidlar - 'That's Life'
Six tracks sum up the emotions and transformation FIDLAR have gone through. Their new EP ‘That’s Life’ is out now and filled me with rage, excitement and acceptance all at the same time.
FIDLAR are the masters of growling riffs and punching soundscapes, enhanced by roaring vocals and frank lyricism. ‘That’s Life’ starts off with their latest released single ‘Centipede’, which is the most ferocious out of the six on their new EP. ‘On Drugs’ is rolling and thunderous, ‘Sand On The Beach’ shows a sweeter sound to the band, comforting and almost friendly. With ‘FSU’ the trio bring absolute carnage to my living room, distorted and unhinged, this is how I like to hear FIDLAR.
‘Taste The Money’ is the fiery punk rock track with the most storytelling-like lyrics and takes on a passive aggressive sound. The song makes the perfect intro for the closer and title track on the EP, ‘That’s Life’ is a favourite, a true to the core and “don’t take life so seriously” message brought to you in the most unsubtle of ways. All six of these songs are rather mind-blowing and tell a story I hadn’t yet found the words for, life has been upside-down and FIDLAR are spinning it back the way I’ve known it for about twenty-five years. Even though my living room walls are still shaking and my ears are still ringing, listening to the EP through my speakers is nothing like seeing FIDLAR live.
The past several years saw the trio having to redefine what their music and live presence could look like in a world in which we had to socially distance while FIDLAR’s live shows mostly consist of sweaty mosh and circle pits… The California punk outfit returned after a four year hiatus and this EP marks their first official project since 2019’s ‘Almost Free’, despite the four years they have clearly only won in strength and power. Theirs is a mind-melting, comforting yet anxious sound and with ‘That’s Life’ they show that none of their chaotic magic has been lost in time. They bawl about relationships, friendships, emotions and how life can suck, and they say it as it is.
Powered by psychedelics and caravanning with friends, Carper’s lyrics for the EP came into existence during a DMT ceremony in Lake Powell. Lyrics that realise there is no heal-all enlightenment, and there are no answers. However, there is an exuberance in sharing real human connections, both good and bad, and a sense of liberation in shouting “fuck it” when faced with the chaos of life. I am grateful they shared this wisdom with me, their old and new fans, on ‘That’s Life’, which shows them in their most empowering and freeing form yet.
Following this release and several sold out shows in the US, the trio recently announced an upcoming tour spanning various cities in California, with added dates in New Zealand and Australia. The tour kicked off last month in Santa Cruz and tickets for their upcoming live dates, and a complete list of said dates can be found here!
‘That’s Life’ will be available online and on limited edition vinyl which will be released this spring.
Words by Laura Rosierse
