Outerloop Storms Back Into Business With "huracán"

D.C. local post-punk outlet, Outerloop, releases “huracán” on November 10th.

Hurricanes are angry, defined by their high-fast winds and concerningly calm center. Outerloop’s newest single, “huracán”, does justice to its stormy namesake. The song, a bi-lingual piece reflecting on the state of a post-Maria, looks at the abuse of power in a rubble-filled environment.

Taisha Estrada, the lead vocalist of the band, says of the piece “‘Huracán is a song about the issue of displacement [...] The neglect, and oftentimes facilitation, is leaving communities desolate.” This comes across so clearly in the ever-growing, ever-louder verses in Spanish. Pleading for solace and mercy, only to be drowned out by a violent, overbearing English chorus coming back with an insistence on a 30 day evacuation of the premises. These initially calm, quiet voices are the heart of the song, surrounded and sandwiched by hate and anger, acting as the eye of the storm. As the track goes on, the Spanish verses crescendo until they can no longer be ignored.

The rejection of a conversation reveals just how unjust the support for those in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria was, and continues to be to this day. Not only is this unfair treatment from Maria, though. The injustice that “huracán” spells out has been as much a part of Puerto Rico’s history as the destroyed beaches.

The anger is backed by low, rumbling backing vocals and fast, staccato guitar chords that sound like torrents of rain and high speed winds. The amazing instrumentalization is the best introduction for the newest members of Outlerloop, bassist Erik Sleight and drummer Marty Reseimberg. They provided the foundation for the intense, choppy rhythm that sets the dark tone that this song necessitates. For me, “hurrácan” is a reminder about what punk is all about. It is about fighting for justice through music, rallying more to listen and more to cry out.

“huracán” is available now on major streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.