Although the old adage of if it aint broke, dont fix it is something that Oklahoma four-piece Ben Quad knew before they began making their new EP, Ephemera, they decided to wholeheartedly ignore it. Since forming in 2018, the bandSam Wegrzynski (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Henry Shields (backing vocals/bass), Edgar Viveros (lead guitar) and Isaac Young (drums)have released three split EPs and their 2022 debut album, Im Scared Thats All There Is. Those records, alongside tours with Hot Mulligan, Arms Length and Forests have helped establish Ben Quad as one of the emo/indie/punk bands arounda hybrid all those scenes and sounds that works incredibly well, both live and on record. With Ephemera, the bands new EPtheir first since signing with Pure Noisethe four-piece have blown all expectations out of the water. Opener I Did Not Create The Rules begins with a brief electronic flourish before bursting into a blisteringly intense screamo anthem. Its first line (Itll be like this forever/Always lost, confused) pointedly lays out the constant struggle of living under capitalism as the music itself violently introduces the bands new musical direction. While there was a hint this change might have been coming in 2022s single Youre Part Of It, this EPs five songs double down hard on that sound. Its a decision the band made becausesurprisingly, given listeners usual disdain for bands experimentingtheyd actually received a host of messages from fans expressing how much they liked that sound. Encouraged, the band leaned into it fully.We did that original screamo track as a flex, admits Wegrzynski, and it then becoming our most popular song gave us the courage to go all out.

Tracklist:

1. I Did Not Create the Rules
2. You’ll Get Nothing and Like It
3. Your Face as an Effigy
4. Exit Wounds
5. Ephemera

*** Indie Exclusive ***
UPC: 810540037431
Label: Pure Noise
Release Date: 11.22.24
Format: Vinyl