The Red Lite District is back, and they're not pulling any punches. "We Are All Working Class Now" is the final track, which concludes their forthcoming, and extremely highly anticipated, new E.P. "Life Won’t Wait" and rounds off a solid, abrasive punk statement that truly captures the band's infectious energy and their knack for a catchy melody. Issued by Sodeh Records, out on all good digital platforms, the six-song E.P., which is previewed here, is a testament to the band's continued growth and their ear for immediacy and killer hooks.
Recorded at Gargleblast Studios, Hamilton & produced by long-time collaborator Andy Miller Mogwai / De Rosa, "Life Won’t Wait" finds The Red Lite District straddling the divide between contemporary punk urgency and melodic intricacy. Each song retains what fans reciprocally thrill to in its blend of punching instrumentation and lyrical depth, but there’s a feeling of freshness about it that seems urgent and yet timeless. The band can switch between abstract and reality in their lyrics seamlessly, and they write songs that make you think just as much as make you want to stomp your feet.
“We Are All Working Class Now” erupts into a riot of punk-and-oi energy, and its title turns inside out into something universal. At its heart, the song is a tribute, if you will, to the rush of a good time, a friendly reminder that music, like life, doesn’t fit into neatly labeled boxes and all are invited to the party to get swept away in the communal howl of being human. It’s a perfect closing for an EP that never lets up, each beat and riff pulsating with life and purpose.
For those looking for a snappy but melodious jaunt through contemporary punk, "Life Won’t Wait" brings it in spades. Once again, The Red Lite District has shown that they can fuse the intelligent with high octane to create a sound that is of the moment, yet will last the test of time. Capped off with the explosive closer “We Are All Working Class Now,” about everything captures the band as purveyors of music that isn’t just something to listen to, it’s a mode of existence.