Outrun You All
Outrun You All gives House of Protection a clearer, more controlled sound. Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta combine heavy guitars, electronic rhythms, and melodic vocals on this short seven-track EP. There is plenty of energy. The songs often prioritize a strong groove and open arrangements over constant aggression.
After a short programmed intro, “Afterlife” sets the tone. Slow, powerful percussion and electronic details support a big alternative rock chorus. The drums move without filling every gap. Harrison adds a more confrontational edge. The production is polished, but maintains a sense of pressure beneath the clear surface.
“Godspeed” hits more directly. A fast dance rhythm and driving percussion blend electronics and grit. “Fire” also opts for directness, featuring a clear melody and group-style vocal accents. The combination works because the rhythm invites you to move without losing the sharpness of the guitars.
“I Need More Than This” provides a melodic center. The bright synth melody contrasts with a darker tone, and the vocals carry more emotion. Influences of early electronic-tinged alternative rock are clearly audible. That familiarity can be both a draw and a limitation. “Phasing Out” shifts gears again, with fast, drum-and-bass-style percussion under melancholic synths.
“Slide Away” makes the quieter approach less convincing. The spacious groove provides contrast, but it lacks the immediate appeal of the strongest tracks and leaves a softer final impression. Those looking for the harder attack of earlier material might find a lack of roughness here as well.
Still, Outrun You All is focused and enjoyable. The best moments blend clear melodies and strong rhythms with distortion and electronic detail. Familiar choices and a weaker ending limit its uniqueness, but the strongest songs justify this broader direction well.
There is one more thing to add to this review, which has nothing to do with this album. House of Protection is a fantastic live band that really tears the house down. So, if you have the chance to see them live, it is definitely recommended.
