Veteran hard rock outfit Nonpoint officially returned with its latest record Friday in the form of its new EP, Heartless. The release was accompanied by the debut of the record’s fourth single, ‘Golden Gloves.’ Also the third of five songs on the record, the song is just one of the songs that shows what makes this, the band’s second EP (and second in as many years) another welcome offering from the band. It will be addressed shortly. ‘A Million Watts,’ the EP’s third single, is another prime example of how much this record has to offer audiences and will be examined a little later. The EP’s opener and title track is yet another example of the record’s strength and will also be discussed later. Each song noted here is its own important example of what makes Heartless another successful offering from Nonpoint. When they are considered along with the EP’s two remaining songs, the whole makes Heartless one more of this year’s top new EPs.
Heartless, the latest studio offering from Nonpoint, is another strong offering from the veteran rock outfit that longtime fans and hard rock fans in general will find fully engaging and entertaining. Its music and lyrics alike make that clear. ‘Golden Gloves,’ the EP’s latest single, is one of the songs that serves to make that clear. The song’s heavy musical arrangement is right there with some of the band’s best works as is evidenced through the balance of front man Elias Soriano’s gritty vocals and the rich instrumentation. The song’s melodic leaning hints at the band’s early works while still managing to clearly and fully develop its own identity. Soriano’s sharp, percussive rapping style is everything that audiences have come to know from him while the edge to the instrumentation delivers its own punch, the whole therein making for so much engagement and entertainment in its own right.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the debut of the new song and the release of the new EP. Thankfully website genius.com has at least partial lyrics for the song. Lyrics are not provided with the song through the band’s official YouTube channel at least at the time of this review’s posting. From what is provided through genius.com, it can be inferred that the song’s theme points to a message of perseverance and determination. This is inferred right from the song’s outset as Soriano states, “Pony boy/Gets the last laugh this time/Makin’ fools out of everybody/Minus every step/Panhandlin’ the rest/’Cause he needed it for blood money…Conducive to a fault/They hidin’ underneath the surface/Noxious/Hungry like a wolf/Half-fox/Gold teeth/blood-soaked/Red teeth.” Again only partial lyrics are presented by genius.com but from what is available it can be inferred that this is a story of an underdog who has finally come out on top, besting everyone because of his own personal growth. This is especially seemingly the case considering the reference to Pony Boy Curtis, who is the underdog narrator for the famous story, The Outsiders. The mentions of there being “no winners” in the song’s second verse, as well as the need for ”Goldilocks to wake up” and having “killers at the ready” adds to that sense of urgency, needing to be ready for what may be coming. If in fact that seeming message of strength to overcome those odds is what is being presented here then it is certain to resonate with listeners. This is especially true when that apparent message is considered along with its powerful musical companion. All things considered the song in whole really comes across as a strong new example of how much Heartless has to offer audiences.
‘Golden Gloves’ is just one of Heartless’ notable entries. ‘A Million Watts,’ the record’s third single, is another memorable addition to the record. The musical arrangement featured in the single is its own familiar territory for the band both in its sound and style. The richness and heaviness in the instrumentation, and the distinct vocal style from Soriano immediately lends itself to comparison to some of the works from the band’s 2000 debut album, Statement.
The song’s lyrical theme is simply a celebration of heavy, hard rock. Point blank. This is evident as Soriano comes straight out and sings about the volume not being loud enough and rocking out in the song’s chorus. That lighthearted message and the song’s equally infectious groove makes the song in whole one of the EP’s best tracks if not its best. It makes the song yet another solid example of what makes this record work.
The record’s title track/opener, which is yet another of its singles, is still one more example of its strengths. As with the other two examined songs, the musical arrangement featured here is everything that audiences have come to expect from the band while still managing to maintain the song’s own identity, keeping that familiar sound and style as fresh as ever. The sharp cut of the guitars Soriano’s gritty vocals work with the power of the rhythm section to make for so much punch. The whole, what with the mor melodic choruses, hints at works from the band’s 2002 album, Development.
Soriano gave a hint at the song’s lyrical theme in a comment as part of an interview early this year, saying the band’s single, ‘Ruthless,’ which was part of its 2021 EP by the same name, “introduced you to a reimagined Tinman. ‘Our new single, ‘Heartless,’ will give you a peek inside the emptiness that drives his rusted cogs toward his target, Emerald City.” That hint points to the Tinman feeling empty inside and angry as a result. The song’s lyrics point right to that, to someone who is angry and disenfranchised, left behind for lack of better wording. This is inferred during the song’s lead verse and chorus, which find Soriano singing, “Joints rusted/Frozen from the rain/Not stoppin’ like I’m Noah/And it’s one of forty days wet/Forgot the feeling of swingin’/But now the metal is swingin’ a little rusty/But it’s all comin’ back/If I remember correct I gotta swing with the right, right?/But lead with the left/And just like my beginnins/I’m good at makin’ a mess and bringin’ the stress/Yeah, a little rusty/But it’s all comin’ back/I’m playin’ with lions and tigers and bears/Witches on fire/No wizards that care/’Cause I’m no citizen/I’m not a citizen of Emerald City.” This points pretty starkly at someone who is just done with it all and is out to vent some frustration and anger. This seeming message continues in the song’s second verse, which states, “I got no horse of any color/Got no mayor/Got no any other kind of governance/Or leadership that I can trust/I got no dude behind some curtain/With an ego bruised and hurtin’ from a lack of confidence and wanderlust/I got no guns/But the bat stay strapped/I might be heartless/But the brain still snaps/A little rusty/But it’s all comin’ back.” This is that statement of having enough. The proverbial middle finger, saying enough is too much. Everyone has had those moments throughout life. To that end, that message and the song’s powerful musical arrangement make for even more impact. To that end it is yet another example of Heartless’ strength. When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the EP’s two other tracks, the whole therein makes Heartless in whole another welcome offering from Nonpoint.
Heartless, the brand new EP from Nonpoint, is yet another impressive new offering from the veteran hard rock band. It is certain to appeal just as much to the band’s established audiences as to third rock fans in general. That is proven through its musical and lyrical content alike. The songs’ musical arrangements are as heavy as ever while still maintaining their own identity separate from the band’s existing works while the lyrical themes present themes that will resonate with audiences just as much. All three of the songs examined here make that clear. When they are considered along with the record’s two remaining songs, the whole leaves Heartless a presentation that is among the best of this year’s new EPs.
Heartless is available now through Nonpoint’s own label, 361 Degrees Records. More information on the EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://nonpoint.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonpointofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nonpoint