Outrun You All
Outrun You All gives House of Protection a clearer, more controlled sound. The duo of Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta combine heavy guitar, electronic rhythms and melodic vocals across a short seven-track EP. There is plenty of energy, but the writing often places more value on a strong groove and an open arrangement than on constant aggression.
After a brief programmed introduction, “Afterlife” establishes the approach. Slow, forceful percussion and electronic detail support a large alternative-rock chorus. The drums give the track movement without filling every gap, while Harrison’s voice adds a more confrontational edge. The production is polished, yet the song keeps a useful sense of pressure beneath its cleaner surface.
“Godspeed” is more immediate. Its fast, danceable rhythm and driving percussion bring the electronic and heavier parts into close contact. “Fire” takes a similarly direct route, using a clear hook and group-style vocal accents to make its impact. These songs show why the duo’s combination works: the rhythm can invite movement without losing the sharpness of the guitars.
“I Need More Than This” offers a more melodic centre. Its brighter synth hook sits against a darker background, with the voice carrying more of the emotional weight. There are clear traces of early electronic-influenced alternative rock here, and the familiarity can be both appealing and limiting. “Phasing Out” provides another shift, putting quick, drum-and-bass-style percussion beneath more melancholy synth sounds.
The quieter approach becomes less convincing on “Slide Away”. Its more spacious groove provides contrast, but the song lacks the immediate pull of the strongest tracks and leaves the EP with a softer final impression. Listeners drawn to the harder attack of the duo’s earlier material may also miss some of that roughness across the release.
Outrun You All is still a focused and enjoyable set. Its best moments bring clear melodies and strong rhythms into the same space as distortion and electronic detail. A few familiar choices and a less effective closing track keep it from feeling fully distinctive, but the strongest songs make a good case for this broader direction.
