ALBUM PREMIERE: '20/20' by Prison Escapee
IndieWavves is proud to premiere '20/20' by Erik David Hidde, aka Prison Escapee. As the title implies, the year 2020 plays a big part, as it now also plays a significant role in our lives with everything that has occurred. "The themes of the album include isolation, the year 2020, feeling disengaged from reality, grief, loss, redemption, fear of the future, the battle between good/evil and PTSD," Hidde explains. '20/20' was supposed to have been the debut album for his previous band, GOSPELS, who had released two stand-alone singles. As fate would have it, the group went on hiatus, and Hidde made good use of what he had and made it into what is now Prison Escapees' fifth full-length album. Yes, we said that correctly, album number five! Erik does not play or probably sleep as he's also responsible for having written, recorded, mixed, done vocals, production & engineering for this new album.
Erik shared with us that he had initially self-isolated in his LA home in the Spring of 2019 to write and record this album. Less than a year later, he found himself in isolation again due to the pandemic that hit. "Though the good I take from this is that the themes of the album couldn't have lined up to be shared and experienced at a more relevant time," Erik explains. We couldn't agree with him more as this album doesn't fall short from what makes Erik the artist he is today. Since 2015 he has been crafting and releasing melancholic, electronic rock songs inspired by equal parts post-rock, electronica, lo-fi field recordings, and film soundtracks. Yes, the man makes cinematic tracks, and you'll know what we mean once you listen.
Prison escapee
“20/20 couldn't have lined up to be shared and experienced at a more relevant time.”
If you listen to the album from start to finish, which we highly recommend, it will take about 23 minutes as there are only seven tracks. The album opens with "A Figment of Your Imagination," which gripes you with it's a simple and beautiful melody from the start. It's lyrics read "2020 I need human interaction," who can't relate as this year we have found ourselves in quarantine which has placed any human interaction on hold. As we mentioned earlier, this is a recurring theme throughout the album as you hear those same lyrics again in song four. The second track, "Empty Wishes/Feeling Light," holds words like "I need 1999 again, 2020 is too much time my friend." Who wouldn't want to go back to any other year at this point? Heck, we'd even settle with going back to last year!
We won't break down every single song, but we had to say something about track four and seven. "Patience/Human interaction" is track four and possibly one of, if not a personal favorite. The beginning of this song is cinematic beyond belief. Immediately transports you into your feelings and keeps you there, especially given the last two weeks with what's occurred. Read the lyrics and tell us you don't know what we mean: "I don't wanna be afraid. I want to unite the nations; I don't wanna lose my patience. I see you with Jesus breaking bread; I see Him doing everything Revelation said." Hidde does a beautiful job of incorporating bits of his Christian faith in his music. "The Holy Wild" is track seven, and it's the last song for a good reason. The raw and honest use of his voice adds the human touch, which the album speaks so much on. The ending leaves you in a bit of a cliff hanger; it leaves you wanting more. Like so many events in life that don't always have set conclusions, this track is no different. It leaves you excited about what Hidde will create next!
It's an honor to premiere this album and to call Erik a friend of ours here at IndieWavves. And even though we've yet to meet him in person, we've quickly come to find out he is a kind, talented, family man, who loves to share music (not just his own). Thank you, Erik, for your art and support, we truly appreciate you.
Now we encourage you to take some time to yourself and give this album a good listen. You certainly won't be disappointed.
Written by Piera Lolandes
Watch/listen to "Street Fighter" above. It's a stand-alone track and the latest music video by Prison Escapee.
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