The time has finally come for the Bureau’s Ministry for Social Cohesion to unleash its strongest arm of communication and engagement by way of Worker and Parasite’s awaited EP, Politics: A Case Study of the Nexus Between Populism, Apathy and Exploitation. Having been granted unprecedented access to the secretive societies’ project and its members for several targeted single releases over the band’s 735 days of operation, we here at HUM are delighted to offer a breakdown of an integral EP that seeks to breakdown redundant political archetypes and structures for the betterment of the proletariat.
Synth-punk opener ‘The Silent Majority’ is a lick-laden, dancey riot replete with bassline hooks and lively synth melodies that garnish prophetic appeals to swing voters’ self-realisation. Compelling those with any sense of sentience to think beyond the subversive bias of political leaders trying to sway them toward toeing the systemic line of procedural power, Worker and Parasite empower free thought through their mantra, “the undecided will be guided provided they understand a guided hand”.
As discussed previously here at HUM, ‘Econ Sopro’ and ‘Realpolitik’ represent two sides of a coercive coin. The former satirises the insincerity of the aspiration class who proselytises for the false hope provided by NGO’s, the GDP and so-called realists while refuting any reworking of the overarching capitalist class. The latter is a hyper coloured burst of electronically empowered garage post-punk that pulls back the curtain on the overarching machinations of media and antiquated political systems that engender faux democracy.
‘Apolitical’ wears it’s Kraftwerk influences on its sleeve as it does the inherent anti-establishment heart the band have been assembled to express. First seeming like a musical existential crisis in detailing how almost every element of daily living pertains to political leanings, it rather acts to inspire the populace to engage in political discourse; “every day in every way, don’t shy away, don’t shy away”. It’s an important example of Worker and Parasite’s fundamental function of engagement in a way that few artists accomplish without sounding like they’re yelling at you with the condescension of an overbearing parent.
Closing with a Can-esque post-funk breakdown, ‘Resignation’ moves around a circular bassline that reinforces the meanderings of a tired and true recreation of oration given by almost all of those departing their office in disarray. Guitar and keys narrate the sermon utilising bends and colourful Wurlitzer chords to elevate intensity and compound the inanity. A closing reprise, “in the court of public opinion, I’m a victim, I’m a victim” juxtapose the band’s infectious melodies against the irrefutable anger drawn from insincerity in a way that compels one to appreciate hypocrisy like few have expressed before.
Politics is an important EP filled with the extreme ideals and values that act to overcome apathy and reinforce resistance. In a world where the status quo is subdued by mainstream media, Worker and Parasite inspire incentivised political awareness and tell us where to direct our anger for reform. Accomplishing all this within a framework of electronically enhanced synth-punk is a testament to The Ministry which comprised the quintet themselves. Listen, learn and act as Worker and Parasite inform you, or else risk the heavy-handed remonstration from the The Department of Compliance instead.
Worker and Parasite will launch their EP on FRIDAY at Last Chance along with supports from Gun Laws and Walking to The Grocery Store. Cassettes of the EP will be available and in LIMITED AMOUNTS!
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