Last Hyena returns with Suspect Your Elders (out September 26), an EP that pushes their restless sound into heavier territory without losing the precision that has defined them. Recorded with Mark Roberts (Delta Sleep, Black Peaks), the EP thrives on tension of intricate math-rock rhythms crashing into seismic riffs, while moments of space and noise collide in unpredictable bursts.
Drummer Roy Mapes says,
We believe this EP is a powerful statement and a vital next step for the band, showcasing our evolution while staying true to the experimental spirit of our genre.
He’s right. The band sounds bigger, sharper, and more volatile by constantly walking the line between technicality and raw force.
That balance is clearest on “Make It Sound French,” a track that channels chaos into clarity. Built from tightly wound guitar textures and shifting rhythms, it unravels into cathartic release by mapping an emotional journey from disorder to resolution. The title, inspired by a punk band’s spontaneous cover of “Ça plane pour moi,” speaks to the spirit of improvisation by embracing imperfection and turning unpredictability into something powerful.
Bassist Max Ellis explains that drop tunings and harsher tones were a deliberate choice that were born from frustration at the anger and division in today’s world. That immediacy gives the record its edge. While closing track “Surfer” sharpens the focus further by framing internet addiction as a tidal wave one can’t quite escape.With Suspect Your Elders, Last Hyena proves that instrumental rock can be both technically dazzling and emotionally charged in a rare balance that feels urgent and alive.
