5

A collection of loud sad songs written quietly in your parents house during a global pandemic, Shutups “5” is a celebration of isolation; a giddy depression, urgently nostalgic and self absorbed. From the opening buzzsaw guitars of “All At Once” to the insistent cymbal shattering of “Can You Dance To A Feeling?”, Shutups comfortably cut through your speaker cones, delivering hook laden track after track. This EP is their most reserved and mature release to date.

Occupied by themes of isolation, family and distancing from friends, "5" is both gloomy and hopeful. “I feel like we’re operating two different Shutups trajectories now, the EPs and LPs both having two distinct flavors”, says Hadley. “The EPs are slowing down, with more emphasis on chord changes and accessible hooks, while the LPs are catering to a more riff heavy, cinematic sound”.