NYC-based art-rock innovators Ecce Shnak have made a thunderous return with their latest single, “Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy,” a dazzling exploration of 19th-century philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s peculiar life and ideals. As the first release from their upcoming Shadows Grow Fangs EP, due in early 2025 via Records Man, Records, the track is a kaleidoscopic journey through sound and substance that showcases the band’s unparalleled ability to defy genre conventions.
Clocking in at just 150 seconds, “Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy” is a sonic rollercoaster. It opens with a ferocious funk-metal riff and guttural roars, morphing seamlessly into lush, Queen-like harmonies and eerie wails. Just as listeners find their footing, the track transitions into enchanting keyboard melodies and a bridge so intense it could animate the undead. The song culminates in a choral coda, transporting listeners to a surreal chapel of existential reflection.
Frontman David Roush describes the song as a “prog-punk psychiography” of Bentham, the father of utilitarianism whose taxidermied body remains on display at the University of London. Roush delves into Bentham’s paradoxical legacy, from his advocacy for social reform to his troubling promotion of solitary confinement—a practice that, Roush asserts, demands urgent reform in today’s justice system.
“This song is about Bentham’s strange life and the comedic tragedy of his legacy,” Roush explains. “It’s also a critique of our brutal incarceration system, which must be challenged and transformed.”
Ecce Shnak’s distinct blend of pop, punk, and classical influences reaches new heights in this track, balancing intellectual depth with unrestrained musical creativity. Their ability to merge weighty themes with a playful, almost cartoonish energy makes “Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy” a standout addition to their discography.
The forthcoming Shadows Grow Fangs EP promises more of the band’s signature unpredictability, weaving together meditations on love, sharp cultural critiques, and even a folk-inspired finale. Recorded at The Art Farm and mixed by renowned producer Nicholas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter), the EP showcases Ecce Shnak’s limitless artistic vision.
With “Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy,” Ecce Shnak once again proves they are masters of the unexpected—brilliantly teetering on the line between inspired genius and irrepressible madness, delivering music that is as thought-provoking as it is electrifying
