Dogpark Barks Against Capitalism in New EP ‘Corporate Pudding’.

Sorraya Gonzales
Feb 17
3 min read

Young man in yellow and black shirt sits backward on a chair, looking pensive. Bright red background adds contrast and focus. Elliot James Reay- The Cage, a music blog by Cage Riot — **Photo credit: Ilona Donovan**

In the world of indie rock, standing against societal standards is a staple and Dogpark is no different. The New York indie rock band brings a sense of angst in their new EP Corporate Pudding, tackling societal issues of capitalism through electric guitar riffs and raspy vocals.

The opening track, “DIALTONE,” pulls the listener into a coming-of-age journey set within a corporate world. The guitar cuts through with urgency while the vocals deliver each line with raw emotion.

The rise in overconsumption due to online shopping radiates in the following track, “I Don’t Mind.” As Dogpark explains, “Access to everything you could conceive at the click of a button has become sort of an opiate for modern young adults.” The track evokes a sense of lingering dread through its snare-driven rhythm, reflecting frustration with overconsumption. It becomes a sonic allusion of being trapped in endless scrolling and purchasing cycles.

In the following track, “Dandelion,” the upbeat guitar rhythm brings a pleasant sound to the ear, but the lyrics paint a darker picture. It shows how difficult it can be to afford the cost of living without sacrificing personal pride to corporations. The ending screams feel both ethereal and angry, suggesting a loss of humanity in the face of large companies.

A similar electronic wave appears in “What’s My Line Again,” as the band searches for connection in a moment of helplessness. It feels like you’re floating into a space of synths, electric guitar, and drums. There’s a dreamlike quality that makes you feel both lost and searching. The song then transitions into the calmer tone of “September.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv9prIYHHzk

“September” brings a somber mood with a calm guitar intro that eventually builds into booming drums and sustained vocal notes. The song reads as a ballad about lost love and holding onto its memory. It’s nostalgic in the best way, making you feel every ounce of longing.

The closing track, “75$72,” opens with indie-rock blues as guitar licks and drums groove alongside the lyrics. The song reflects on how money no longer holds the same value it once did, with people working harder just to meet minimum needs. The title and lyrics provide a satirical take on how small numerical differences mean little when the value itself feels diminished. The band drives this point home with biting wit and an infectious rhythm.

The band explains that for “this project, we mostly focus on how it has assisted in proliferating wealth inequality, an unnatural human experience, isolation, and how all of these consequences funnel into each other. More specifically, how a person can segue this feeling of loneliness into soullessly generating money and power.”

Overall, the EP is filled with strong guitar solos, vivid drums, and indie rock vocals that are mesmerizing. Dogpark pushes back against capitalism in an EP full of passion and soul.