The new project’s second EP caps off a successful first year as a collaborative punk quartet.

Ending the year on a high note, following up their first self-titled EP, Vancouver’s Chronic Fatigue leans further out with their DIY punk rock stylings with their second EP, Surrender To Serenity.

Comprised of multiple members from their local music scene, including players from Kid Lucifer, The Khans and Bloom Shack, Chronic Fatigue pulls from each set of influences and backgrounds to produce their own sound. The self-produced release blends together portions of post-punk and experimental hip-hop that give off a raw sort of attractive energy, not playing into any particular sub-genre between the four tracks.

Each track plays it fast and loud through their instrumental sections, with Sean Wilson on guitar, Dylan Bondy on bass, and Quinn Letendre on drums, but it is always controlled enough to never overshadow Sam Patterson at the short to lengthy vocal sections. Patterson weaves in several variants of how he approaches the mic, going from volume-climbing spoken sections to outright punchy nu-metal hip-hop verses, immediately bringing Rage Against The Machine’s Zack de la Rocha to mind.

However, the element most prominent in this EP is less the seriousness that is evident in La Rocha’s repertoire. From start to finish, the key word is Fun, which I had listening to the small collection front to back.

One of the standouts is the first track, “Bus Beers”. The opening number laughingly chaotic, with Patterson acting as the narrator and viewing piece for listeners to experience a trek to the band’s next show, while daring to save a bit on drinks by any means necessary. Wilson has ample chances to let loose in between the vocals, including a section at the end that’s whacked out but all him.

“Arc Flash” was another highlight that immediately grabbed my attention, pulling in most of the nu-metal and hip-hop influences on the EP. The track allows Patterson and Letendre to pull off a sort of duet when it comes to the vocal sections, Letendre lining up his drum beats to help further the punchy lines in a track that radiates with bravado. Wilson and Bondy are their own duo, with the guitar and bass sections being allowed their own sections all the way to the end.

The album ends on a great note, with the lead single, “Serenity”, giving each party member a chance to shine, most notably through the second-half of the track. Bondy plays the foundation through his bass chords that Wilson and Letendre bounce off of.

Clocking in at just over 17 minutes, Chronic Fatigue’s Surrender To Serenity leaves the stage well before the audience gets its fill, however, the repeat button on streaming services exist for a reason, and that is enough of an excuse to jump right back into enjoying the riot of a time all over again.

Chronic Fatigue’s next show will be at KW Studios, playing alongside Slightest Clue, The Brahmankind and Nitroglycerin on Saturday, November 30, with doors at 7:30pm and music starting at 8pm.

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