7bit Hero don’t take themselves too seriously. They create a brand of bit-pop without any inhibitions; it’s a geeky blend of nostalgic 8bit video game samples, synths and plenty of corny sing-along choruses.
The band was created by Brisbane-based beats wiz Hans van Vliet, who also operates under his solo monicker, Hunz. His allegiance of band mates include fellow beat producers who’re complimented by a bassist, a drummer, and a visual artist.
It’s only natural that such an unorthodox instrumental combination would give rise to a debut EP with a strange aural concoction.
We Eat Loot‘s opening title, ‘Come On. Stand Out.’, which is also the most polished and digestible cut, immediately reveals the band’s purpose.
They haven’t set out to make thought-provoking, or even intelligent music; rather, they’re simply trying to make people ‘join [them]’ and ‘be happy‘.
It’s an innocent, perhaps endearing motif that continues throughout the tiny four-track EP, but even in those 14 or so minutes, 7bit Hero’s sonic world of 90s nostalgia, bubblegum pop, and chiptune samples quickly becomes overbearing and sickly-sweet.
Each track follows the same formula: double kick drums, upbeat synths and an overload of chiptune, video game samples.
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At first it invokes fond memories of playing Mario Kart as a child, but there comes a point where the glitchy sampling becomes gimmicky, and your glorified memories are overshadowed by all the times you fell off the track on Rainbow Road.
While it’s a bit redundant to long for depth from a band who pride themselves on their jocularity, it becomes a fair ask when some of the lines sound like something out of Glee.
By the end of the EP you’re left feeling like Augustus Gloop at the Willy Wonka Factory; overwhelmed by the sugar content in 7bit Hero’s steroid electronica.
