Last year Koyo released their debut full-length, ‘Would You Miss It?’, drawing acclaim from listeners and critics alike for their unabashedly heart-on-sleeve blend of punk, hardcore, and emo. Now the Long Island upstarts are back with the announcement of a new EP, ‘Mile A Minute’ via Pure Noise Records.
The three songs that make up ‘Mile A Minute’ tap into where Koyo began and where they’re going. Today the band have shared ‘Ten Digits Away (Deluxe)’ one of two tracks from their previous work that appear on the EP, reimagined and reinvigorated. First group’s new take on ‘Ten Digits Away’ is sparser but no less effective.
Frontman Joey Chiaramonte explains: “‘Ten Digits Away’ was a song that spawned out of that early pool of ‘Would You Miss It?’ songs, and it instantly felt like a gold standard Koyo track. We ultimately made the choice to release it as a standalone single almost two years ahead of the record, since we knew it would stand on its own merits. Now over two years later, and year out from releasing ‘WYMI?’, we’ve found the original version of the song has been a little overshadowed by our newer music, lost in the algorithmic shuffle prioritizing newer music, and by proxy even our own record. In an effort to give a perfect Koyo song a little more deserved time in the sun, ‘Ten Digits Away (Deluxe)’ is our little stripped down, swagged out, redux solution. Not a lazy acoustic rendition slapped together just because, but a true effort of tender love and care to celebrate a milestone track in a new light. We hope everyone feels the love and attention to detail when they listen.”
Emerging from the Long Island underground with members of Typecaste, Hangman, and Rain of Salvation, Koyo hit the ground running with a sonic style that fully embraces the sound of their legendary scene. Drawing on elements like the widescreen melodies of Taking Back Sunday or the tuneful grit of Silent Majority, the band have managed to wear their influences proudly while cultivating songwriting chops that speak for themselves. ‘Mile A Minute’ showcases the impressive songwriting chops that at the center of Koyo‘s music, no matter the volume. Tracks like ‘Ten Digits Away (Deluxe)’ and ‘I Might Not Get Through All of This’ pull back the distortion leaving the hooks to stand alone. Meanwhile ‘Mile A Minute’ is the first completely new Koyo song since the release of ‘Would You Miss It?’. It’s a massive punk anthem that’s proves the band won’t be slowing down any time soon. “Music is all time and place,” Chiaramonte says. “Lyrics and their subject matter, feelings you have–it’s all subject to change, quickly dated. ‘Mile A Minute’ is the most current possible representation of where I’m at, and where we’re at, and I just hope people dive into every aspect and nuance of these songs.”
Koyo have been touring constantly since the release of ‘Would You Miss It?’ and they’re not stopping any time soon. The band have a busy Fall and Winter with lengthy runs in the US, UK, Europe, and even Australia. The European dates will see Koyo performing with the likes of Four Year Strong and Shoreline– see full itinerary below.
Upcoming European tour dates:
February 2nd – Ampere – Munich, Germany
February 10th – Arena – Vienna, Austria
February 12th – Hole 44 – Berlin, Germany
February 13th – Logo – Hamburg, Germany
February 14th – Luxor – Cologne, Germany
February 16th – Dynamo – Eindhoven, Netherlands
February 17th – Le Backstage By The Mill – Paris, France
‘Mile A Minute’ tracklist:
01. Ten Digits Away (Deluxe)
02. I Might Not Get Through All of This
03. Mile A Minute