SPEED’s Roots Strengthen In New Single, ‘REAL LIFE LOVE’, Alongside Debut Album Announcement

There is perhaps no band more poignant in the world of, nor synonymous with the word of, hardcore, than SPEED. Throughout their short yet gruelling recorded career, the Sydney-based legends have revolutionized what it means to be hardcore, finding their crux within inclusivity, loyalty, and paying homage to the paths created before them. With this, the band has risen to international stardom, and defined themselves as impassioned, genuine, and the epitome of grassroots creativity. Today, this is celebrated again with the release of their latest single, ‘REAL LIFE LOVE’. Alongside this, the band has also announced the release of their debut LP, ONLY ONE MODE; an auditory navigation of their ethos and representation of their tumultuous journey to the top.

‘REAL LIFE LOVE’ enters with a chunky riff and understated reverberation that gradually builds and glides into a pronounced and assured call to arms, with vocalist Siow’s earth-shattering exclamation of “SPEED” initiating three minutes of beautifully curated chaos. Transcending the atmospheric world-building, the track divulges into a fast-paced expression. The band’s signature style sees the song heavily layered, yet unwavering in its display of each and every element, from the smallest cymbal taps, to the fierce and swirling guitars. Bouncing between the singular vocals of Jem Siow, to anthemic callbacks between members of the band, ‘REAL LIFE LOVE’ finds its connected sense of unity not merely through its lyrics, but its collective performance. 

At times classed by the greater music listening world as an unapproachable tone, SPEED continues to shift the trajectory of hardcore, using their emotional and charged presentation as a vessel for storytelling- touching on topics of community and family, and breaking down issues of toxic masculinity and fake friendships- notions that are all challenged within the adjacent movie for the track. 

“My time in hardcore has informed the relationships I have with everyone I hold close. An unconditional sense of love and loyalty. A bond that knows no words. Relationships that now span a lifetime. To us, this unique sense of deep-seated understanding is the essence of HC, it's what we're most passionate about and grateful for. Yet there are many in, and especially outside of this space who conflate this idea. If you stick around long enough, you might just get it. Otherwise, what's the point to all of this?” - Jem Siow explains 

With sharp guitars initiating the track's breakdown, ‘REAL LIFE LOVE’ holds no restriction, finding itself descending into a low, chugging soundscape, with only the utterance of the band’s namesake diverting from the grimy and hellish sounds soundtracking only your most brutal two-step. Charging back up into a flurry of questioning and back to the chorus, the track once again hones into these feelings of togetherness, and reflects on the connection that surround us- a universal tie we all hold.

With poise, SPEED present themselves at their most polished, without compromising the individual, rogue, and heavy sound that has made them who they are today. As brutal as ever, and evidently, continuing to use their music as a platform for the issues they hold dearest, SPEED remains the same in their ethos- creating music “for us, by us”. It is almost a certainty that the remainder of the upcoming album will share the same characteristics.

Set to release on July 12th via Last Ride Records and Flatspot Records, ONLY ONE MODE celebrates the band's accomplishments, growth, and visceral expression in the form of their debut lengthened play.

It’s time to dust off your comfiest sneakers, start stretching those arms, and maybe even mold a mouthguard… this is going to be a big one! 

Words by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002

Stream 'REAL LIFE LOVE' here

Pre-Order ONLY ONE MODE here

Speed - ONLY ONE MODE Tracklisting:

1. REAL LIFE LOVE
2. DON’T NEED
3. NO LOVE BUT FOR OUR OWN
4. ONLY FOES…
5. THE FIRST TEST
6. KILL CAP
7. SEND THEM 2 SYDNEY
8. SHUT IT DOWN
9. I MEAN IT
10. CAUGHT IN A CRAZE