Miss May I continues to make the case that No Place For Me could be one of the band’s heaviest releases in years with its latest single, “Highbrow Thieves.”
The song comes from the band’s upcoming eighth full-length album, No Place For Me, arriving October 2 through Solid State Records. “Highbrow Thieves” also serves as the closing track on the 10-song record.
Musically, this thing hits hard from the beginning, but the breakdown surrounding the line “You’re gonna have to kill me” is where the song really gets nasty. The breakdown itself is sick, and when Jerod Boyd’s double bass kicks come hammering in, it feels like getting kicked right in the mouth. The drums are a major part of what makes this section hit as hard as it does.
Levi Benton’s vocals carry plenty of aggression, while the guitars bring that sharp, heavy metalcore attack longtime Miss May I fans expect. The combination of the riffing, drums, and vocal delivery keeps the track moving without wasting time.
Lyrically, “Highbrow Thieves” deals with something different than the title might initially suggest. Benton explained that the thieves aren’t stealing money or possessions. The song comes from the perspective of someone being worked into the ground by people who have little concern for the time they are taking from them.
That theme comes through strongly in lines like:
“And you’re in denial
Survive at their disposal”
There is frustration all over this song. Being overworked, feeling disposable, and realizing that your time is being taken from you gives the aggression behind the music even more weight.
Miss May I went with an animated video for the song, and it works extremely well with the concept. Rather than simply giving fans another performance video, the animation visualizes the grind and exhaustion behind the song’s message.
“Highbrow Thieves” is aggressive, fast, and packed with the kind of breakdowns that make you want to hear it live. If this is how Miss May I plans to close No Place For Me, they are ending the album with one serious punch.
No Place For Me releases October 2 through Solid State Records. The band is also scheduled to co-headline the Perpetual Iron Tour with Born of Osiris in November and December, with Convictions and Downswing supporting.
Courtesy of Atom Splitter PR.
