For fans of acts like Blink 182 and Pop Punk era MGK, the new EP from Levi Zadoff and Dead Hendrix should fetch their fancy. Dead Summer was inspired both by the infamous 2020 lockdown and the ensuing life experiences that resulted from and were caused by it. The coast-to-coast connection of Zadoff and Hendrix is a peculiar one. Levi Zadoff is a product of the Los Angeles scene, while Dead Hendrix is Canadian, hailing from Ottawa. Their union has proven to be fated, as both consider Dead Summer a highlight of their recording careers.
LEVI ZADOFF INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/levizadoff/
“Love Game” is one of the standout tracks on Dead Summer. It explores how relationships were affected by the pandemic and, in many cases, in unforeseen ways. Initially, Zadoff and Hendrix keep things rather tame, lyrically. But as the song progresses, they make slightly indirect references to Kurt Cobain and presumably his suicide, as well as becoming more explicit lyrically. These two know their audience and how they communicate. As a result, this song is captivating on a casual level, and the duo climaxes with multiple musical crescendos. The skillful arrangement and mild shock value make this one a must-listen.
The eye-catching title of “Cant Be God” may be the track from Dead Summer coming to a station near you. The Glass Animals-like track blends a mellow and melodic backdrop with a slightly more energized vocal performance. Timely and irresistible, “Cant Be God” is the type of song that both audiences and industry insiders will devour. Zadoff and Hendrix use subtle vocal dexterity and a relatively danceable beat to great effect here. Perhaps most notably, this piece features a guitar riff in the mix that, if introduced to a generation that thinks Fender is a car accident, could be a game changer.
DEAD HENDRIX INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/talk2thedead/
“Alone” leans a little too far into old Pop Punk tropes. Some may find the piece to be a bit alienating. But as they generally do throughout the record, Zadoff and Hendrix bring this one to life by the song’s end. The catchy jingle of “Don’t Think It Could Get Much Better” opens the album. It sets the right tone for Dead Summer with its ironic and caustic title. Don’t think it could get much better/don’t think it could get much worse, is a line that goes a long way in summarizing the Summer of 2020 that most of us won’t soon forget.
In their own way, Zadoff and Hendrix introduced the idea of the concept album to a rather unsuspecting genre. Dead Summer is a strong effort. The duo blends several influences to arrive at something familiar yet distinctive. Dead Summer is now available on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
Clay Burton