Music is a force that can cause controversy. Phenomena such as the infamous “Satanic Panic” of the ’80s or the very idea of “protest music” have always been forces that have dictated how music is made and interpreted by the listener. While these scenarios can, at times, misinterpret the message or intent of the artists, Erik & The Worldly Savages make their ideas and opinions crystal clear with “Break Free.” The EP comes in hot from the very top with “Brainwashed.”
The fast-strumming, Spanish-style guitars accompanied by the raspy, powerful vocals is underscored by the lyrical venom that immediately grabs your attention. Lines such as “we all wanted only to find our success, but ended up lonely in the corporate mess” stir up emotion that explodes with the track as the instrumentals explode right before the 1-minute mark. The bouncy folk beat accelerates fast with the snappy strums of the rhythmic electric guitars creating a hypnotic sway that your head moves back and forth to. The track has a fun punk rock element to it as “Brainwashed” ramps up during the chorus. The track leans into it fully during the second half of the track, with some great solos and some catchy lines such as “is this it for humanity? This how it ends? The system keeps on scammin’ me, and all my friends.” From the top, “Brainwashed” is an eclectic, fun and high-energy listen.
“Sunshine” has a bouncy beat that makes a wild first impression before mellowing out into a head-bobbing jam. The instrumentals groove smoothly, from the licks of the guitar to the creeping bass, the beat is instantly alluring. The instantly recognizable raspy vocals come in low and emotional soon after, giving the track a bluesy aesthetic. The track livens up at the chorus, which is highlighted by some excellent violin play after each passing instance. Lyrically, “Sunshine” is a bluesy anthem about losing faith in a corrupt system perfectly illustrated in lines such as “I followed the instructions on how to live a decent life. Somehow I got fucked up and that part inside me died.” Lines such as this and the lamentation of the chorus, “waiting for the sunshine, but the sunshine never comes” are delivered with both vitriol and sorrow to deliver a powerful punch each time vocalist Erik Mut delivers his feelings. It’s an inspired track that combines bluesy motifs with punk/ska instrumental bounces that oozes in-your-face attitude.
The groovy bassline in”Leaving” is instantly noticeable as it grooves effortlessly and creates its own bounce. It establishes a wavy groove with the guitars and a pop with the percussion that you can’t help but move to. The guitar solo starting at the 2:15 is funky and delightfully distorted, giving the track a mysterious aesthetic towards the end as the solo gives way to some blipping, spacey synths that accompany the outro. The lyrics continue a theme of freedom and rebellion from previous tracks, with lines such as “well I’m sick of this city and sick of this living and the food today’s shitty and people are fake” and “you think that I’m crazy that I’m gonna get out, I think that you’re lazy to live without the amazing life to see out there. You don’t even fucking care” are delivered with such searing passion that cuts deep, drawing from the vocalists’ own experience of his own travels and “escape from the west.” If any track on this EP is a perfect illustration of the fruits of Erik Mut’s travels, it is “Leaving.”
“Break Free” is an EP full of fiery passion. The bouncy beats and catchy instrumental grooves house some powerful sentiments from the mind of frontman Erik Mut. From the top, “Brainwashed” plays his feelings straight about how he feels about the state of the world while other tracks such as “Sunshine” show the origins of his disillusionment. Tracks such as “Leaving” and “Burn My Life” illustrate the action he took in order to find his truth. With some eclectic beats fueled by raging passion from the perspective of someone feeling pushed to the outside of their society, “Break Free” is a story that is great for anyone looking for something fresh.
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