L.A. heavy-music boundary-pushers Trash Talk have a long history of intertwining punk and hip-hop — last summer, for example, they toured with $uicideboy$, Denzel Curry, City Morgue and others. Their latest foray into rap/hardcore crossover sees them team with producer Kenny Beats (Vince Staples, Gucci Mane, Ski Mask the Slump God, Rico Nasty) for their first new release in four years, the Squalor EP. The record's not due out until June 5th (it's available for pre-order now), but today (May 22nd), the group unleashed its lead single, "Something Wicked," a sub-two-minute blast of rabble-rousing aggression.
Squalor marks firsts for both the band and for Beats. It's Trash Talk's first project with one producer working on every song. "We did a record with Steve Albini, but that was more about engineering," guitarist Garrett Stevenson commented. "Working with Kenny was the first time we've had real input in the studio. We stepped outside our typical routine." Vocalist Lee Spielman added, "Linking with him was about us respecting his ear for music."
The EP was also the producer's first time working with a band for a complete project, recording live drums and guitars. Beats enthused of working with Trash Talk: "They taught me more than almost any other project I've worked on."
Blast "Something Wicked" above, and and check out Squalor's cover art, by Japanese artist Verdy, and track listing below.
Squalor track listing:
1. Point No Point
2. Something Wicked
3. Worst of Times
4. Clutch
5. Kicking & Screaming
