Justice Tripp may be one of hardcore's most ambitious and intriguing songwriters. After spending his early years crafting iconic breakdowns in the monumental (and recently reunited) outfit Trapped Under Ice, they've since been acknowledged as one of the most influential bands in the genre. From there, Tripp shifted focus to his next project, Angel Du$t.
Since their initial release back in 2013, Angel Du$t have served as an outlet to experiment and bend genres, bringing more melodies and dynamics with each album. Over their last few releases, Angel Du$t have fully leaned into poppier, clean guitar-driven tunes, a decision that pays off and subverts expectations at the same time. Now, the band is back with Brand New Soul, which cements Tripp's knack for delivering catchy hooks and leads, regardless of genre.
Previously featuring members of Turnstile (Pat McCrory and Daniel Fang still appear on a number of songs), Angel Du$t now counts Steve Marino and Daniel Star on guitar, Zechariah Ghostribe on bass and Thomas Cantwell on drum. As they've continued to evolve, this consistency in the lineup helps cement Angel Du$t in their sound and their identity, something they've arrived at fully with Brand New Soul.
The title track kicks things off with a driving punk beat, clean power chords, a walking bass line and Tripp crooning about being "washed clean with the blood of rock 'n' roll." Thematically, Tripp introduces ideas of rebirth, healing, love, gratitude and vulnerability, all of which are explored throughout Brand New Soul's thirteen tracks.
There are a number of songs that flex the frenetic hardcore punk energy that will surely be staples in their live set. "Sippin' Lysol" and "Space Jam" both showcase the barrelling drums, fast riffs and Tripp's signature growl that longtime fans would find on earlier records like Rock the Fuck on Forever. Tripp's interests and influences have always been wide-ranging, but tracks like these are a reminder that his roots in hardcore will never go away.
Still, Angel Du$t are inclined to take their sound to new and exciting places; "Don't Stop" features a samba-like groove that carries the strum of Marino and Star's acoustic guitars, accentuated by Tripp's warm vocals. Those vocals shine even stronger on "Born 2 Run," another acoustic jam that brings harmonies to complement Tripp's lead. As a whole, songs are seen as an opportunity to put new ideas to the test and bring with them a variety of percussion, synths, guitar tones and approaches that separate Angel Du$t from their counterparts.
In his lyrics, Tripp has migrated from the heavy and brutal truths of his Trapped Under Ice days to a different kind of emotional vulnerability, focusing on the desire to be loved and accepted. On "Very Aggressive," a song about heartbreak, he posits, "Give love / Take love back / Take everything" and "Can't stop feeling / Every feeling" — notions that capture the risk and weight of opening up to those you trust, only to be let down. On "Love Slam" he opens with "They don't like it when I free my mind / They don't like it when I let go of the past," a clear response to critics and fans who rebuff his creativity and self-expression.
Angel Du$t continue to move onward and upward, with Brand New Soul representing the band at their apex. With a solidified roster and a unique identity, this won't be the last time they slam their fans with love, whether at a show or with their next release.
(Pop Wig Records)Since their initial release back in 2013, Angel Du$t have served as an outlet to experiment and bend genres, bringing more melodies and dynamics with each album. Over their last few releases, Angel Du$t have fully leaned into poppier, clean guitar-driven tunes, a decision that pays off and subverts expectations at the same time. Now, the band is back with Brand New Soul, which cements Tripp's knack for delivering catchy hooks and leads, regardless of genre.
Previously featuring members of Turnstile (Pat McCrory and Daniel Fang still appear on a number of songs), Angel Du$t now counts Steve Marino and Daniel Star on guitar, Zechariah Ghostribe on bass and Thomas Cantwell on drum. As they've continued to evolve, this consistency in the lineup helps cement Angel Du$t in their sound and their identity, something they've arrived at fully with Brand New Soul.
The title track kicks things off with a driving punk beat, clean power chords, a walking bass line and Tripp crooning about being "washed clean with the blood of rock 'n' roll." Thematically, Tripp introduces ideas of rebirth, healing, love, gratitude and vulnerability, all of which are explored throughout Brand New Soul's thirteen tracks.
There are a number of songs that flex the frenetic hardcore punk energy that will surely be staples in their live set. "Sippin' Lysol" and "Space Jam" both showcase the barrelling drums, fast riffs and Tripp's signature growl that longtime fans would find on earlier records like Rock the Fuck on Forever. Tripp's interests and influences have always been wide-ranging, but tracks like these are a reminder that his roots in hardcore will never go away.
Still, Angel Du$t are inclined to take their sound to new and exciting places; "Don't Stop" features a samba-like groove that carries the strum of Marino and Star's acoustic guitars, accentuated by Tripp's warm vocals. Those vocals shine even stronger on "Born 2 Run," another acoustic jam that brings harmonies to complement Tripp's lead. As a whole, songs are seen as an opportunity to put new ideas to the test and bring with them a variety of percussion, synths, guitar tones and approaches that separate Angel Du$t from their counterparts.
In his lyrics, Tripp has migrated from the heavy and brutal truths of his Trapped Under Ice days to a different kind of emotional vulnerability, focusing on the desire to be loved and accepted. On "Very Aggressive," a song about heartbreak, he posits, "Give love / Take love back / Take everything" and "Can't stop feeling / Every feeling" — notions that capture the risk and weight of opening up to those you trust, only to be let down. On "Love Slam" he opens with "They don't like it when I free my mind / They don't like it when I let go of the past," a clear response to critics and fans who rebuff his creativity and self-expression.
Angel Du$t continue to move onward and upward, with Brand New Soul representing the band at their apex. With a solidified roster and a unique identity, this won't be the last time they slam their fans with love, whether at a show or with their next release.
