FiveSidedDice are a bunch of things all wrapped in one. At moments a pop-punk group, at others a post-core metal one, and at others still a rap one, their eclectic fusion of sounds makes for a unique intriguing record to immerse yourself into. Started as a solo project from Roscoe Nefdt, the inspiration behind the project is clearly echoed in its outcome. Roscoe wanted to experiment with a multitude of sounds, to truly put himself to the test and see what he could do while exploring a whole palette of genres. There’s modest folk and outright aggressive punk, and everything in between.
And this musical eclecticism isn’t merely a collection of siloed piece across the five track EP. Each piece is its own smorgasbord of sounds. On the opener ‘Another Night, Another Tragedy’, FiveSidedDice almost starts with a slightly folksy piece before jumping into a more pop punk energy and hitting the chorus with a more hardcore, abrasive, and aggressive vigour. On ‘Killmusic’, the vibe switches like night and day. The old school hip-hop piece, which also incorporates a refrain that has a bit of summery indie pop seems like it’s almost entirely outside of what its predecessor set first. But that’s what make ‘Baggage’ so intriguing.
Drawing from experiences growing up in South Africa, the pains of youthfulness dying out, and the endless loop of being fixed in a rut within the capitalist system, the album doesn’t restrict itself to any particular theme. Roscoe wants the record to be a form of baggage to any listener who comes across it, but he wants it to be a more upbeat and optimistic type of baggage. It succeeds in its cohesiveness despite its seeming disparateness. A strange contrast, an even stranger coalition. Altogether, an eclectic jam you’d love to explore.