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Institute: S/T 7” (Anti-Fade Records) I wrote the official label blurb for this release, and while I hate writing about the same record twice, I wanted to send up the bat signal and make sure the Sorry State faithful know the new Institute is straight fire and should not be missed. If you missed their recent 12” Ragdoll Dance on Roachleg Records, you might not know that Institute sounds wholly revitalized at the moment. Not that they ever sounded less than vital, but nowadays they sound almost like a new band—hungry, like they’ve got something to prove. And if the three tracks that appear on this 7”—each of which has its own vibe, groove, instrumental palette, and structure (see my official blurb for more details on that)—are any sign, the band is still chock full of fresh and exciting ideas. And while the music here is brilliant, the lyrics are just as noteworthy. I’ve seen a lot of hand-wringing lately about whether and how punk will meet the current political moment, and I can think of few bands writing about the current political climate as compellingly as Institute. Rather than cosplay songs about long-dead politicians or retreads of the same topics Discharge made it safe to write about four decades ago, on these three tracks, Institute writes about things happening right now, and they write about them in a way that’s as direct, confrontational, and powerful as the 80s political punk bands that inspire them. For me, this 7” has it all. I’m not sure how long it’ll stick around since it’s billed as an Australian tour EP, but if you’re one of us who believe contemporary punk can rise to the level of the genre’s classics, you’re gonna want this record.