The Black Lemons sophomore release is a five song EP entitled Don’t Own the Future. The Lemons have made a record for these uncertain times, taking on a range of social issues, from opiate addiction in Misery Now, a power pop expression of frustration and empathy, to economic inequality in the powerful punk anthem Rich White Men (Don’t Own the Future).

The record punctuates topical observations with surprising stabs of emotional honesty, all laid out in the Lemons trademark pleasing sense of pop craft. The cut Maeumui Bunggoe, (Korean for “mind collapse”) features Adrian Belewesque guitar, wailing over Simon’s demented vocals, conveying the shock and dismay that followed Trump’s election. Record of the City serves as a layered metaphor, in which hopeful musicians throw away their best attributes in the hope of becoming famous, while at the same time, Music City, Nashville (home to the Lemons), demolishes it’s culture to attract more money, and more residents.

Don’t Own the Future finds The Black Lemons both filling out and simplifying their sound, at the same time.

Per usual, I sat down with Stephen from The Black Lemons to talk influences, their new project, the digital music world and…..then something really strange happened.

Listen to The Black Lemons on Soundcloud. Don’t Own The Future is available on iTunes.

Connect with them on their official website.

Full video interview is below.