Philly punks Open City–vocalist Rachel Rubino (Bridge and Tunnel), guitarist Dan Yemin (Paint It Black, Lifetime, Kid Dynamite), bassist Andy Nelson (Paint It Black, Ceremony), and drummer Chris Wilson (Ted Leo + the Pharmacists, Titus Andronicus)–have announced a new album, Hands In The Honey Jar, due October 6 via Get Better Records (pre-order). “From a songwriting perspective we were looking for this record to be rendered from a more expanded palette of influences, while at the same time being more stripped-down sonically,” says Dan Yemin. “While the band continues to exist in the context of a reverence for the basement epiphanies of the golden age of DIY hardcore punk, we were also making room for UK post-punk influences and some of the more hypnotic and repetitive tactics utilized by Lungfish and Unwound.”
Rachel adds, “I love Hatebreed as much as I love Beyoncé as much as I love Pissed Jeans as much as I love Bikini Kill, does that give you a reference for my contribution?”
Speaking about the lyrics, Rachel says, “The topics are usually a variety of my own lived experiences, current ideas and events that weigh heavy, little thematic fictional stories that weave together. I think the lyrics always come from a place that’s deeper than I probably understand myself, and that’s the hidden beauty in all of it. […] The current landscape in our country that’s trying to erase marginalized groups is a fucking sick joke, it’s impossible to not absorb and feel drained by it. This struggle and heartache definitely finds its way into some tracks.”
The album was produced by Arthur Rizk, and it features the song “Wolf” that Open City contributed to Triple B Records’ 2021 comp America’s Hardcore 5, as well as the just-released “Return Your Stolen Property Is Theft.” It’s a real rager, and you can definitely hear Open City’s eclectic set of influences coming through on this one. It’s punk, it’s hardcore, it’s post-hardcore, it really doesn’t fit in neatly anywhere. Listen and check out the tracklist and artwork (designed by Jem Cohen, who directed the Fugazi film Instrument) below.
Rachel is also filling in on guest lead vocals for the late Jason Rosenthal at the upcoming On the Might of Princes reunion shows.
Tracklist
1. Gassed
2. Lukewarm
3. Fever Dream
4. Blitz Kids Stay Sick
5. No One Thinks About You More Than You
6. Return Your Stolen Property Is Theft
7. Sentimental Scum
8. Bobby
9. Carry Us
10. Destined
11. Everything
12. Wolf