BALTIMORE'S PINKSHIFT TAKES IT DARKER WITH NEW SINGLES

Photo: Leigh Ann Rodgers, 2020

Baltimore, Maryland has produced some great bands, the latest being the punk rock outfit Pinkshift. Pinkshift is made up of lead vocalist Ashrita Kumar, Paul Vallejo on guitar, Myron Houngbedji on drums, and Erich Weinroth on bass. The band sounds like Paramore mixed with some grit, angst and 90’s grunge. On October 23, they released two singles “Rainwalk” and “Toro.” These tracks show the band returning full force with a darker sound that aims to put listeners into a heavy fall mood. 

“Rainwalk” displays Kumar’s range and she describes the song as “…an ode to those awful instances when someone you know very well suddenly pretends like you don’t exist. Experiencing that could set anyone off, and writing these words helped me to pin down that feeling and let it go.” 

This song is both catchy and fiery. The delivery in this song reminds me of Brand New Eyes era Paramore with the same sassy delivery and snarl in the lyrics. This band is something to pay attention to now, because they’re going to catch fire, and will definitely be a band to see live when touring resumes.

The second track, “Toro,” sounds similar to “Rainwalk”, however, it is a freight train of sound coming at you in the best way, and much more chaotic. The song continues the dark lyrics and the fall mood with lyrics like “I’ve always wanted you inside my head, chase around my thoughts and make me a mess…” This song is very much pointed at someone Kumar was not happy with. 

You can check out both singles now!