We've decided to bring 2021 to a close with a special EP from Them Mean Reds. While the trio's electro pop sensibilities may seem outside the box of previous Rhizome releases, the holiday season has us channeling cozy moments with friends in rainy Seattle and nostalgic aesthetics of changing seasons in Los Angeles. Them Mean Reds know what it means to wander geographically while maintaining connection, a fitting conclusion to a year where Rhizome made migrations of its own, now based in Seattle/LA.

Them Mean Reds is a synth pop project of longtime friends Don Laukonis, Jessica Hammer, and Cody Hammer, started nearly 10 years ago. The creators grew up together in metro Detroit and only started to collaborate musically after Jessica and Cody moved to Las Vegas. The three stopped their joint efforts for a time and came together again in appreciation of each other while they revisited their past work on Dirt Mountain, Speck, and Flume, also beginning work on Won't Go Out. All sounds written and produced by Don Laukonis, Jessica Hammer, and Cody Hammer. Lyrics by Jessica Hammer and Cody Hammer (except Flume). Vocals by Jessica Hammer. All songs mixed and arranged by Don Laukonis. Flume written by Justin Vernon, published by April Base Publishing.

1. 1. Dirt Mountain

The desert of Las Vegas stretches across the lyrics of Dirt Mountain inspired by feelings of homesickness and aversion to the lack of lushness with a contradictory desire to explore the rocky beauty and other unknown places. While longing is clearly present throughout the song, the unmistakable, unmoving presence of the landscape shimmers and expands through the alternating shimmering and grounding synths. Jessica's vocals carefully hold the tension in equal parts celebration and lament.

1. 2. Speck

The dark notes Don originally shared of what would become Speck inspired its lyrics which took on a unique tone in the current social climate. A sense of foreboding is elegantly accented by sensitive percussion and Jessica's patient narration. Distortion grows as the song progresses, unnervingly hinting towards the disintegration occurring as the stripped back bass and vocal concludes.

1. 3. Flume

Flume channels energy immediately, with a hefty yet bubbly synth rhythm carrying the vocals, percussion, and atmospherics towards a sense of something hopeful. As the song settles into its electro pop core clever pacing lends suspense to a narrative that borders on pragmatic optimism inspiring dance. The song eases into a gentle cascade towards the conclusion complete with floating sonic textures and wistful melody.

1. 4. Won't Go Out

Won't Go Out is a song about appreciating Seattle's bustling energy and the desire of many of its inhabitants to stay contentedly inside during its rainy season. It also functions as the perfect conclusion to the EP, evoking a playful yet cautious sensation of peering outside. A rich diversity of percussive interventions beat about stir crazy synths. The downtempo march works to compassionately build the confidence to step out into the dark rain even as introverted worlds beckon at home.