The first single from State of Play‘s forthcoming EP, ‘What it is to Be’ lyrically charts the rise of human kind, from hunter gatherer to the most technologically advanced and dominant species (for better or worse) on earth today. Already quite a departure from your usual pop/hip hop themes. This concept builds momentum throughout the track, which is mirrored musically as the song evolves from a spacious and ethereal XX-esq groove, to a full on, driving, distorted riff in the second verse. Finally it crescendo’s in a cacophonic wall of sound, as singer Missy McAnulty’s soaring vocals echo the earlier themes of Anthony’s verses in a melodious flurry that sits on top of the thrashing drums and guitars
