If you’ve been following the New York underground over the last couple of years, you know that Lip Critic isn't just a band—it’s a controlled explosion. Following the massive critical success of their 2024 debut Hex Dealer, the Brooklyn quartet has returned with their most ambitious project yet: Theft World.
To celebrate the May 1st release, we are offering an exclusive signed lithograph as a gift with any purchase of the new album (Vinyl or CD) while supplies last!
The Evolution of the "Ketamine B-52s"
When Lip Critic first arrived on the scene, critics struggled to describe them. Paste Magazine famously called them "The B-52s on ketamine," while others noted the "paranoid preacher energy" of frontman Bret Kaser.
The band’s foundation is famously unconventional:
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The "Psychic Combat": Two drummers locking into frantic, polyrhythmic grooves.
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The Gear: Samplers that sound like they’ve been short-circuited and rewired by a mad scientist.
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The Vibe: A mix of 90s alt-rock (think Soul Coughing), industrial hip-hop (Death Grips), and the maximalist production of Tyler, the Creator or Skrillex.
While Hex Dealer was a collection of "absurdist vignettes," Theft World is a fully locked-in transmission. It’s a concept album that explores "theft" in all its forms—digital, political, and emotional. It’s the soundtrack to a world being stripped apart and resold, delivered with the energy of a hardcore mosh pit.
The Musical Journey: From Comedy to Chaos
Lip Critic didn't start out as the polished (though still "batshit") force they are today. In their earliest days, the project was intended to be a comedy noise act. Early shows involved the band members wrestling each other and performing gymnastics moves while Kaser delivered stand-up over distorted electronic beats.
However, their love for dance music and hardcore eventually took over. They transitioned from a novelty act into a serious creative powerhouse, signing with Partisan Records and earning a reputation for one of the most high-energy live shows in the world. As Kaser puts it, whether the music is exploring paranoia or politics, "it has to make you shake your ass."
Why You Need Theft World
This album is for the listener who wants everything at once. You'll hear:
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Club Rhythms that belong in a warehouse rave.
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Hardcore Breakdowns that will satisfy any metalhead.
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Surrealist Lyrics that feel like a late-night internet rabbit hole.
Stop by the store today to pick up Theft World on silver metallic vinyl or CD and claim your signed lithograph! These are strictly limited—don't miss out on a piece of NYC music history.
Check out/buy the album here!