De()t Welcome to the Idiot Factory EP
Following their 2024 Think of Your Future LP, DE()T presents the four-track EP Welcome to the Idiot Factory. The first couple of bars on the opener “Creepin’ In” sound like a typical hardcore affair, with chunky bass and guitar, drums pummeling out a turbulent rhythm, but then the whole thing breaks, the rhythm steadies, and a wobbly, chorus-drenched synth enters, accompanied by sarcastic, sneering vocals. The following track (“Progress”) continues this style; lyrics carry on a similar downtrodden agenda: “Is there anything more than just to survive?” The B-side takes on a slightly darker feel, and while present, the synth occupies a different, lower-end sound space, not as forward in the mix. The guitar goes from a glassy simmer on the verse of “Gamblin’ Man” to full boil-over on the chorus, and the vocals follow suit with less sneer and more gut-punch. Closer “Welcome to the Idiot Factory” comes in with a buzzy, bass-adjacent synth line, with a monotone report of “Slash your tires / Slit your wrist / Bang your head / Pop your zits”—lyrically, this song could be akin to DEAD KENNEDYS’ satire, poking holes through the machine of meaningless work that supports even more meaningless commerce. Great release from this Raleigh, NC group.
