RedHook is a band that is quickly crashing through walls and glass ceilings to become a pop-punk & heavy music household name. Formed in 2017 the band has been leveling up ever since, with every new release, every new tour and festival their fan base grows exponentially. Having played at festivals such as Download, BIGSOUND, and Good Things there is no sign of them slowing down any time soon. All of these things are impressive on their own, but then add in the fact that the band is completely independent and DIY it makes all of their accomplishments that much more impressive. Now we are getting their latest installment of tracks in the form of: Postcard From A Living Hell.

The album kicks off with the track, Postcard. The track kicks the door in and brings an energy level to amp up the listener and prepare them for some of the hard hitting lyrics that are coming throughout this album. The track has a vibe that is sure to get people moving.

Next up we have Jabberwocky. This track is an immensely important and powerful. The song was written by Emmy after she was sexually assaulted while on tour in a foreign country. She spoke with us on the Musicians For Mental Health podcast (you can find a link to it at the end of the review) and said that at the time she began writing it, it wasn’t for her, it was to give a song to others that have been through a similar experience so they had an anthem they could relate to and hopefully process and heal from. This track is profoundly powerful and gives strength to listeners.

Off With Her Head comes in next and cranks the energy up. This track deals with cancel culture, but more specifically when people are just out to stir things up and have no regard for facts, or lives that may be ruined over claims. “Self righteous, tied the noose before you heard the plea” takes a big swing at those who immediately jump to conclusions before hearing the other side of a story. Sonically the track is chaotic but composed, it has such a wild and furious energy but is also extremely calculated in it’s delivery.

Coming back to a more pop punk feel, at least lyrically, is The Critic. This song is another empowering anthem about telling the voice in our heads that tells us we aren’t good enough and don’t deserve love to “Get off my radio”.

Imposter (feat. Mikaila Delgado) comes in swinging for the fences with the complimenting vocals of Mikaila. The song sonically has such big room energy with the bass drum and vocal production. The song is super relatable to virtually anyone, tackling the feeling of thinking that you know someone only to find out that they were fake and you never really knew the real them.

Next up is Soju (feat. Sly Withers), this track is just super fun all around. It has everything you could possibly want in a track about saying “Fuck You” to everyone that tries to take advantage of you, or downplays your worth. The guest spot by Sly Withers compliments vocally, then you have the saxophone come in and give a great solo before the gang chants/vocals at the end of the track. This is one that I can’t wait to see live myself because it is going to be nuts.

Psyche vs. Psyche brings the heavy back into the listeners face. Slapping them with gnarly guitars, rap style verses, and heavy screams. This track gets in your face and doesn’t let up.

Then there is Low Budget Horror, which has such a fun mix of upbeat feel good clean lyrics but also heavy screams to help drive home the point and are sure to get listeners pumped up.

Intervention comes up next. It is kind of this song of self realization that maybe its time to slow down on or completely stop some things. Its a weird spot to be in when you look around and start to question if all of the “fun” you’re having is really fun.

Perhaps the most somber and sad track on the album is Inarticulate (feat. The Faim). Emmy and I spoke about this song during our conversation for the podcast as well. Its such a powerful message in the song, and something that a lot of people are going to relate to. For anyone that has dealt with mental health issues themselves to see another going through something but not having the words to say to them to make things better. “Strange how we all suffer together // Thinking we all suffer alone” is this crazy phenomenon especially in this genre/scene of music where we all connect with and relate to these songs that have heavy meanings, deep connections to our own experiences, but some how we still feel like we are the only one’s going through things or that would understand what we are dealing with. This track is possibly my favorite song on the album because it just hit me in the feels so hard, its beautifully done vocally, sonically it is appealing, lyrically it is life. I would also love to see the band put this out as a fully acoustic version.

SAY comes in to close out the album and bring the energy and vibe back up to 11. Tackling the music industry specifically but can be related to virtually all industries unfortunately. The song hits back at the gatekeepers, misogynist, sexists, and gaslighters that try to force you into a specific box, fit a certain image, and deliver a specific message. “Go on and say what you want // As long as you agree with me” is a phrase that we have all heard in some form or another.

Overall Postcard From A Living Hell is another outstanding showing by the band and is going to fit nicely into their long discography. RedHook is unapologetically authentic and their fanbase loves them for it. The album checks all the boxes you could ask for and is one that will have tracks for all of your playlists, the angry work out one, the sad day cry session, the I’m in a bad mood one, EVERY SINGLE PLAYLIST. I cannot say enough good things about this album, its not often that a band can put out an album that doesn’t miss on even 1 track, but this album does not miss.

Huge shout out to Emmy Mack for being open, honest, and vulnerable with these songs and writing about the things that matter. Tackling mental health topics can be a scary thing, it can alienate you, it can paint you in a light of attention seeking. Emmy has crafted these songs based on her own personal experiences with a variety of topics and instead of allowing herself to play the victim, she has created these fucking empowering anthems that give strength to the ones who have been wronged, hurt, damaged, broken, and forgotten.

Also a HUGE shout out to Emmy for being a guest on Musicians For Mental Health where we talked about Breaking the Stigma, Sexual Assault, Trauma Recovery, writing music about mental health, and much more. We spoke at length about real first hand world experiences that she has had, and the insight that she can provide. We stepped past the veil of lyrics and broke down the intent/message behind songs like; Imposter, Inarticulate, SAY, and Jabberwocky. We also discuss our desire to help break the stigma around mental health.

Postcard From A Living Hell Tracklist:

1. Postcard

2. Jabberwocky

3. Off With Your Head

4. The Critic

5. Imposter (Feat. Yours Truly)

6. Soju (Feat. Sly Withers)

7. Psyche vs Psyche

8. Low Budget Horror

9. Intervention

10. Inarticulate

11. SAY

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