AWOLNATION, “Candy Pop.”

By Dom Tuason

SoCal rock band AWOLNATION is ending 2023 with its first EP in more than a decade (and first collection of original songs since 2020 LP Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders) with rock-centric sampler Candy Pop. The Aaron-Bruno-led band has undergone a complete lineup reshuffle since inimitable mega-hit single “Sail” in 2011. Perhaps because of this, it’s explored various sounds since then; then again, Bruno has always been the creative force. The new cheekily titled EP, which includes just three new songs and a couple of remixes of the title track, continues to push the walls of modern rock.

AWOLNATION maintains its modern indietronic and electro-rock sound on “Candy Pop,” as well as the promising “We Are All Insane” and “Freaking Me Out,” each bringing its own unique sound, as well as artsy videos directed by Eliot Charof.

Aaron Bruno wrote and recorded all three of the songs by himself. The allure of the title track comes from its entrancing hook composed of high-pitched vocals augmented by a hypnotic melody and a dynamic electronic dance beat. The way the chorus is repeatedly chanted recalls 1999 rap-rock song “The Bad Touch” by The Bloodhound Gang. It’s considerably cleaner than that one, however, only getting to first base: “You and me baby/ Sitting in a tree/ K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

If the original doesn’t quite satisfy your palate, no need to panic. There are two more flavors of this track to tickle your tastebuds. L.A. artist Elohim brings her own brand of rhythmic dubstep to one version that’s just asking to be rapped over and makes this release more DJ-friendly. And New Jersey’s Flamingosis (producer and beatboxer Aaron Velasquez) delivers a screwed-and-chopped version.

“We Are All Insane” has all the elements of a hit; a beautiful yet simple melody, poetically lyrical depth and a hook that goes from 0 to 100 pretty quick; Bruno’s screaming sounds a bit like it does on “Sail.”

Anxiety-ridden pop banger “Freaking Me Out” switches to a guitar-driven modern rocker on the chorus as Bruno lists all the things that make him uneasy—”You give me the heebie-jeebies!”—that’s perfectly places on a Halloween night playlist.

This genre-hopping EP is a fun project that showcases Bruno’s multidimensional artistic abilities.