Five years on from their last full-length release, progressive metalcore veterans the Number Twelve Looks Like You are making an explosive return with their latest single, “Eyes on the Fireworks.”
The brand-new song marks the first material to be released by the New Jersey group since 2019’s Wild Gods LP. This time around, the band are needling into a straightforward and pop-punky pace to support vocalist Jesse Korman’s politically-charged thoughts on everything from unchecked patriotism and the illusion of American exceptionalism to gun violence and climate change.
“Americans often assert that our claim to being the greatest country in the world rests on our freedom,” Korman explained in a statement. “The term ‘freedom’ is almost synonymous with the United States, as if it encapsulates all that truly matters. However, issues such as healthcare, affordable housing, gun violence, drug addiction and unemployment persist.”
He adds: “Despite these challenges, we continue to celebrate each summer with beach outings, fireworks, and barbecues, proclaiming our freedom, even as our nation engages in foreign conflicts. So, let’s just keep our eyes on the fireworks!”
The single arrived along with an accompanying music video directed by Jaakko Manninen. The clip greenscreens the Number Twelve Looks Like You into nuclear bomb testing sites, plane crash scenes and newspaper headlines. You can see for yourself up above.
“Eyes on the Fireworks” is out now via Equal Vision Records. A full-length follow-up to Wild Gods has yet to be announced.