CARSEX Releases New Music

“Human Interest” could not be a more fitting title from the punk rooted rock of CARSEX, who hail from the streets of Long Beach, CA with an assortment of new songs to add to their catalog.  These tracks all achieve the “banger” variety as they ride the cutting edge between the attitude of hard driving rock and straight up hardcore punk with an homage to the days of slam dancing.  I wasn’t familiar with the band’s previous work myself, but it plays like an album we’re familiar with and may have heard before, and that is the mark of a great release in these days of overdone studio histrionics.

CARSEX take a deep dive into human interest, as they kick things off with “Sitting Ducks,” and it’s a mixed bag of good ol’ punk and hard rock hooks to roll with and get acquainted for what’s to come, as the escapade has only just begun. The opening guitar chords set up the tone for an unexpected turn of nearly (Rage Against The Machine) like proportions, combined with nods to legends of the past, such as Black Flag. This combination works throughout Human Interest, with “Crooked Canvas” delivering one of the more commercially accessible numbers out of the seven on the EP. 

The beat takes a turn with an incredibly cool song “Beyond The Trees’ that has a completely different vibe than the rest of the Human Interest tunes. I was so intrigued by this track that it gets more repeated listens from me than any other on the EP. I like this song and the singing of the charismatic frontman Nigel Burk in particular, who is surrounded by the excellent musicianship of the rest of CARSEX – they’re all clearly pros and it really makes a strong listening experience. Even the bluntly titled “Fuck This” brings as much to the table as anything on Human Interest, resulting in yet another outspoken gem about handfed bullshit. 

The boiling point for me on Human Interest, is where “Landmine” comes in with another legitimately well-crafted song from top to bottom. But make no mistake, there’s nothing sugar coated here, as they go deep and wide into an array of different topics.   CARSEX has something to say, and does so loudly and clearly about the current shape of the world.

“D.K.C.” is where Human Interest gets into the topic of school shootings through the eyes of a father, and it’s lyrically one of the deepest moments.  It’s an  overall ominous statement from Nigel Burk and the band about the importance of this phenomenon.

The closing track “Stella” keeps the standard up and goes out with a bang.  It used to be most records would save the worst for last, but this one contends strongly with every drop on Human Interest. I like each song on this release – but hold this one and a couple of other tracks as the flag bearers of the  highest standard for what’s going around in hard rock and punk in 2025. Human Interest can hold the ears and attention of anyone looking for a mix of vintage and modern punk and hard rock.

Michael Rand