Russ Rankin, frontman of Good Riddance, releases his latest solo EP, ‘A Season In Hell’, out everywhere now via Indecision Records.
‘A Season In Hell’ marks Rankin’s third solo release, following 2012’s ‘Farewell Catalonia’ and 2022’s ‘Come Together Fall Apart’, and features three new original songs alongside three covers. The EP finds Rankin exploring a full-band sound that bridges his acoustic solo work with the aggressive, melodic punk of Good Riddance, while putting his own spin on songs by The Records, The Avengers, and Leon Rosselson, arranged and popularized by Billy Bragg.
“Adam Gomez took care of the drumming, while I played all the other instruments and did all the vocals. I had written these songs that maybe didn’t suit Good Riddance, and then there were these cover songs I kept finding myself drawn to, so I decided to record all of it,” explains Rankin.
Unlike Rankin’s previous solo releases, ‘A Season In Hell’ was envisioned as sounding like a full-band record. The result showcases another side of his songwriting, pairing driving instrumentation with the poignant, introspective lyricism that has become a hallmark of his work. Across the six tracks, Rankin balances original material with reinterpretations of songs that have resonated with him throughout the years, bringing a distinct perspective to each.