fistpump! – Toyota Hellfire (2026)
Known for their high-voltage, energetic, confident, powerful, lift you off the ground and grab you with a sonic mania attitude, fistpump! is stamping their name on the Birmingham underground scene. Embracing the “…emotional weight of Midwest emo and the urgency of post-hardcore”, the UK-based foursome oscillate between thunderous rage and delicate melancholy in their melodies and lyricism. This is our introduction to fistpump!, which makes absolute sense considering the single under review is their debut. So, strap yourselves in as we dive headfirst into ‘Toyota Hellfire’.
In totality, ‘Toyota Hellfire’ is a hit between the eyes, a slap to the face, a gut-churning twirl of manic sound made for both festivals and the local underground venue. Crashing, thrashing drums kick along a bold bass, while the scorching guitar slices across and keyboards nip in, the track is thunderous and forceful. Yet, while the melody comes at you full-force, it also oscillates between those thunderous blasts to softer, almost delicate moments when the vocals lead atop an almost simplistic instrumental dip.
Carefully and cleverly arranged, the tumultuous melody is an ocean of sound; each element another wave crashing down, but also bringing another sweep of insight and emotion. When speaking of the track, the band explain: “At its core, ‘Toyota Hellfire’ reflects the process of confronting inner conflict and transforming it into forward motion… ‘Toyota Hellfire’ stands as a compelling state of passion, drive and artistic intent…”
For me, a fan of 2000s emo, ‘Toyota Hellfire’ is a very welcome four minutes of music. Moreover, as with most emo music, the song is loud and boisterous, but retains a more comfortable side; the ferocity booms, but you feel like a friend is holding out their hand, guiding you through the urgent frenzy. Sophisticated but naive, innocent but mature, tight but working with reckless abandon, firstpump! understands both sides of every coin, and brings that emotional sincerity and honesty to broody, moody, but insatiably loud music.
Find out more about fistpump! on their Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
