Bryce Bishop Cuts Ties in Latest Single "Shocker"
Midwest emo-hyperpop artist Bryce Bishop has us foaming at the mouth with his latest single, "Shocker." After releasing a series of singles that ushered in his experimental emo-electronic EP All In Good Time, Bishop makes his long-awaited return with a track that sees him returning to his roots in pop punk and folk music, delivering a slice of nostalgia disguised as a high-energy banger.
"Shocker" opens with a fuzzy voice memo of Bishop singing alone in his room with nothing but his guitar, giving the listener a glimpse into his isolated world. Layers of moody, organic instrumentation and fast-paced acoustic guitar picking come into the fold as he describes driving with an old friend. Together on the dark road, they reflect on the streetlights that were never put in and on times gone by. Tension builds on the pre-chorus as the weight of things left unsaid push their way to the surface the same way "roots push up the asphalt."
On the dynamic and almost freeing hook, Bishop belts, "Leave me out," begging to be removed from his friend's considerations as he finally understands that he's "been a weight" on their shoulders. This cathartic release pairs with an explosive instrumental climax that lays an enrapturing foundation for Bishop's sing-screaming vocals as he conveys sadnesss but also relief that this relationship that has gone on for too long is now over. Although the second verse does contain a sense of defeat over sarcastic, gleeful guitar riffs, thrumming bass lines, and driving percussion, the last hook and outro see the artist come to terms with his new reality, leaving listeners on a cliffhanger that maybe, just maybe, there will be self-forgiveness when the dust settles.
"It was freeing to write a song away from my laptop with just a guitar again," shares Bishop. "During the process of making this EP, I went back and listened to old voice memos from nearly a decade ago, and I found that these songs, 'Shocker' especially, could have been pulled directly from that era of my songwriting. I think high school Bryce really wanted to be making songs like 'Shocker;' he just didn't have the skillset yet. So finally being able to make something like this and put it out publicly feels special to me. I hope you like it."
"Shocker" is the first single from Bishop's "Needles Era," which he has shared that will culminate into a six-track EP called Needles, California, out October 29. Following his adventures of reminiscing with old friends and navigating relationships with new ones, the singer-songwriter is on track to weave his most cohesive body of work to date.
Listen to "Shocker" below:
