The whole “9 to 5” work life seems like an inevitable setting that we all will fall into, no matter how hard we try to resist it. Under his moniker Ravetank, Nathan Howard contemplates the dullness that awaits or he already met on his latest EP, Wasting Your Life from 9 to 5 (via Havana Tapes). Based in Bath, UK, Howard is influenced by the raw lo-fi of Guided By Voices which has left a huge imprint on his sound.

“Don’t Be A Slave To The Grind” is a direct and an unflattering ode to the sedentary lifestyle. Acting as a soothsayer, Howard warns listeners of the constant clock watching and stacks paperwork that awaits. Almost sounding like a drowning robot, Howard’s muddled vocals vaguely resembles the bad ass voice of Jake Rollins. Over the burly guitar stammers and dim synths, Howard keeps his message raw and direct (“wasting your life from 9 to 5 / don’t be a fool”). The sun fuzzed “Villa 838” continues the same sentiment, as Howard stares down the paradox of resisting the meningeal occupation, yet can’t seem to leave due to the necessity of earning a living. “Ted The Radical Westy” is a tale of a guy named Ted who is antithetical of the sucker who caves into working for the man and seemingly enjoys his life of partying. The slack-pop closer “American Ninja Delivery Girl” chronicles the tales of a delivery girl/American delivery girl and Canadian slacker who isn’t very good at what he’s doing. The murky lo-fi aesthetics give it an understated jangle that sort of sums up the

The concise EP barely makes it over the 10-minute mark, which feels appropriate considering it’s a record that thematically stresses about time and trying to not let it waste. Wasting Your Life From 9 to 5 isn’t the record that’ll bring everything into perspective, it’s the sparky record that reassures you that you’re not the only one who hates your job.

Cereal Pairing: Honey Nut Cheerios with booze before you head to work