Tag: Fact Pattern

Since coming off tour in 2023, LA’s Fact Pattern have been whetting our appetites for new material by releasing two singles a month apart.

Firstly, Never Bleed, released in April, is a postmodern love song that starts with a pulsating beat and builds melodically on the strength of Ian Flux’s vocals. Fact Pattern has never been afraid of powerful beats, but they seem to have raised the ante, courtesy of drummer Corey Hirsch and bassist Jack Lowd. With top-notch production formed with a keen ear for clarity and atmosphere, Never Bleed is a hard-hitting track that doesn’t sacrifice melody for the sake of heaviness.

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Next, Incompatible is a mid-May release that takes a fish-out-of-water look at the world: How does your faith jibe with reality, if at all? Fingers are pointed at religion, saying that one’s own personal beliefs may not be the panacea needed to make sense of life.

Musically, percussive synths carry throughout the track juxtaposed with hard guitar riffs played at a comfortable tempo.

Fact Pattern is chumming the waters in preparation for a new full-length release in the near future. If these two tracks are any indication, the next release is expected to be a tour de force for the band and a satisfying delight for fans.

https://factpattern.bandcamp.com/track/never-bleed

https://factpattern.bandcamp.com/track/incompatible

When I first saw the video for Fact Pattern’s Retail Therapy, I thought it was a bizarre subliminal infomercial. It took a moment to realize that was the intention. This being my first exposure to Fact Pattern, I didn’t know what to expect. The video rolls out like the infomercial from Hell; everything that’s reviled about consumerism all wrapped in a stylish package. Guests appear in a talk show format seemingly with the belief that whatever snake oil the host is hawking will be the panacea to their lives… or not. The video’s director (and Fact Pattern bandleader), Ian Flux nails it on the head with a spot-on observation and critique of consumption over introspection. And it’s done with high production value and a keen eye for detail.

The video coincides with the release of Retail Therapy as the final single from Fact Pattern’s 2021 EP, From Where You’re Hiding.

As for the song itself, the level of quality remains consistent. The heavy riffs and bellowed vocals drive home the feeling of disquiet that is the theme of the song. The instrumental break towards the end of the song shows off the band’s musicianship without taking away from the crux of the lyrics. Additionally, the Blak Emoji remix is definitely worth your time as well.

Since taking the time to give From Where You’re Hiding a proper listen, I feel like Fact Pattern is really out to say something; compelling the listener to introspection and all the horrors that it may entail. The production quality is top-notch and crystal clear. From Where You’re Hiding is heavy as hell but still quite listenable.

I’m so pleased that From Where You’re Hiding did not escape my radar. I’m already looking forward to more from Fact Pattern and will be listening to their back catalog as well.

https://factpattern.bandcamp.com/album/from-where-youre-hiding

https://factpattern.bandcamp.com/track/retail-therapy-blak-emoji-remix

https://blakemoji1.bandcamp.com/