Prince Daddy and The Hyena

I Thought You Didn't Even Like Leaving (2016)

nickEp

Prince Daddy & The Hyena prefers to be frank. The band spills everything on their mind, no matter how sad or depressing it may be.

If there is one word to describe I Thought You Didn't Even Like Leaving it would be anxious. Feeling alone, in both a positive and negative sense, plasters the record. On the second track, lead singer Kory Gregory yells, I forgot to take my meds today! I can’t believe it’s only Tuesday!” This begins the constant influx of incredibly specific details of his and the band’s lifestyle. “I’m happy now, haha. I’m working on myself, haha.” 3:30 AM and I’m still up dry heaving over a measuring cup.” “I think I’m having a panic attack. I think I’m disappointing my dad.” Most of the lyrics sound conversational with flares of self-deprecation and self-indulgence. They rarely find things that make them happy, but two of those are weed and booze.

While Prince Daddy is willing to wallow in their sorrows, the music never softens. This is good old-fashioned pop punk. There are slight ska tinges (title track, "Broc Ched") which sound like mid career Jeff Rosenstock. But usually it sounds like PUP without the slickness, still throaty as hell. Or if FIDLAR skewed more Fat Wreck. “Pop Song” could fit in the emo resurgence somewhere around early Joyce Manor. Prince Daddy & The Hyena radiates so much of their peers and influences that their youth is apparent. But the songwriting is there and Gregory is the perfect antihero, over sharing with all the heart and words he can muster.

I Thought You Didn't Even Like Leaving probably won't appeal to many fans outside the genre, but those of us who are raspy punk enthusiasts can find plenty to enjoy.