Hypoluxo - "Night Life"

Of all the great post-punk records that came out in 2020, Hypoluxo’s self-titled third full length is the cream of the crop. Whether it’s frontman Jacob Cohen’s piercing, yet melodic vocal delivery, their jittery guitars, or the taut rhythm section, the quartet checks all of the required boxes, and even adds some of their own flavor, to the genre. If you enjoyed the Brooklyn band’s 2018 LP, Running On A Fence, then you’ll love this record, as it stays true to their broad and collage-like approach to songwriting, while forging new ground with a powerful set of songs that attempt to process and make sense of some painful realities. 

It’s hard to pick a favorite from the record, but if I’m absolutely forced to, “Night Life” is a song that really speaks to me through its spirited message of resilience. The song is characterized by a visceral beat, short, sharp bursts of jangly guitars, and an elliptical riff that serves as the focal point. It’s a song that sounds and feels distinctly New York with definite nods to the Talking Heads and Television, and lyrics that describe the gumption required to survive in this urban jungle. 

The band also recently shared a video for “Night Life,” which you can stream below.

You can purchase Hypoluxo on limited edition cassette via Bandcamp. The album is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook.

You can also revisit the band’s November 2018 appearance on Look At My Records! right here on the site or via Spotify.

Photo by Henry Archer