Last summer, Los Angeles hardcore leaders Trash Talk hit the road with $uicideboy$, Denzel Curry, City Morgue and others, but it was hardly the first time they had crossed over into the hip-hop world. To the contrary, the rabble-rousing quartet have made a habit of moving seamlessly between the punk and rap worlds, and that boundary-defying tradition continues with their new EP, Squalor, the band’s first release in four years. The five-track EP was helmed by hip-hop producer Kenny Beats (Vince Staples, Gucci Mane, Ski Mask the Slump God, Rico Nasty), who brought a new energy and perspective to Trash Talk’s characteristically aggro sound. Squalor is set for release on June 5th — you can pre-order it now — but ahead of that big date, the group have premiered the EP’s lead single, “Something Wicked,” a short, sharp shock of take-no-prisoners hardcore punk. Stream it below via YouTube.
In addition to being Trash Talk’s first project with Beats, it’s also the band’s first record with just one producer working on every song. Guitarist Garrett Stevenson explained, “We did a record with Steve Albini, but that was more about engineering. Working with Kenny was the first time we’ve had real input in the studio. We stepped outside our typical routine.”
For Beat’s part, the EP marks his first time working with a band for a whole project, including recording live drums and guitars. “They taught me more than almost any other project I’ve worked on,” the producer said of collaborating with Trash Talk. The group’s frontman Lee Spielman returned the compliment: “Linking with him was about us respecting his ear for music,” the singer said.
Squalor also features another collaboration for Trash Talk: with Japanese artist Verdy, who they befriended while playing in his homeland and enlisted to create the EP’s cover art. Check out that below, as well as the full track listing.
Squalor track listing:
1. Point No Point
2. Something Wicked
3. Worst of Times
4. Clutch
5. Kicking & Screaming
