Innerpartysystem released their EP, Never Be Content today, and with it came a six-song dance party. Never Be Content brings the club or rave party from the outside into your eardrums. The songs are fused with a new life, of sorts, that you would be surprised to expect from a band that was once considered more rock than electronic. It’s official, with this release, that rock won’t be their first-and-only genre anymore.

The band is keenly aware that some people may see this as a complete deviation from the Innerpartysystem they know, but as Kris Barman explained to me last week, (you can read the full interview HERE), “Some people think this is a 180-degree turn, but it feel more like 30-degrees.” To a certain extent, he’s right. This EP does not sound contrived or forced and all of the songs are enjoyable. The collection pulls no punches. But there will be some that think the band are abandoning, or perhaps lessening, the impact of their guitars and drums, for more auto-tune and synth.

As a fan of dancey tunes, I’m not complaining. For example, the eight minute wallop called “Not Getting Any Better” will have you bobbing your head within the first sixty seconds, or maybe you prefer as I do, the instructional monotone of my favorite track, lead single “American Trash.” That song will make you feel cool just for listening (and more than likely agreeing).

While some critics have complained that the band has always sounded fuller live than in their past releases, I think that Never Be Content comes very close to harnessing the full potential of Innerpartysystem. They should be proud of this release, and I’m excited and anxious at where they can go from here. It’s comparable to teaching a car enthusiast to drive manual transmission: It’s a new skill to use and it opens up a world of new toys to play with.

Innerpartysystem are currently still working on their untitled full-length which is due this year, but I am assured that this is an amazing first step in the right direction.