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Track-by-Track: State of You Tackle Personal Themes on EP ‘On A Knife’s Edge’
State of You explore the personal struggles and challenging subjects inspiring their new EP ‘On A Knife’s Edge’.

Formed in 2022, State Of You quickly made their mark on the UK underground scene with their debut EP, blending heavy hardcore influences with a lively, rock ‘n roll edge. United by a shared drive to confront personal struggles and spark meaningful conversation about today’s issues, the band brings together members from respected UK acts like Outcry Collective, Polar, and Hildamay.
Creating a sound that draws inspiration from bands like Every Time I Die, Cancer Bats, The Bronx, Beartooth, and Underoath, the band recently dropped their new EP On A Knife’s Edge and singer Steve Sitkowski gave us a Track-by-Track rundown.
1. “Cut the Rope”
“‘Cut the Rope’ is about how the pressure of modern day life is really fucking with our heads. This is an anti-suicide song. All of my friends and myself included, are dealing with pressures that are so destructive to our mental health. Ultimately, there’s a strength in coming together in a room with strangers and seeing that we are all in the same position, but no matter how bad it gets – there’s still the option to keep fighting and to cut the rope that has been placed around our necks.”
2. “To the Core”
“In this new reality we are living in, the concept of the old rockstar pushing the boundaries of debauched behaviour is no longer coveted. “To the Core” is about someone in a position of power continuing to take what they want without caring about the consequences. True sin will never go away – it’s only in hindsight that someone will look back in regret. In the moment, bad behaviour is a rush and a middle finger to the future.
Like a dog that delights in playing in the mud, unaware that their owner is screaming for them to stop. The chorus is about being caught in a cycle of drink and drugs – those extreme highs and lows. There’s nothing as bad as the comedown, but that feeling of getting back on it can be all too inviting to resist. Either way, this song is going to level whichever venue we play it in.”
3. “Under the Wire”
“This song is a very different pace for us as a band to what we normally do but it’s so atmospheric that it made me think of a battlefield. Like many people, I’ve struggled with negative emotions for as long as I can remember – I put it down to my late ADHD diagnosis. When you are in a bad state of mind it’s very hard to not feel like you are cursed in some way – that no decision you are forced to take will have a positive outcome. I’m a strong believer that you can’t run from your emotions – you have to sit in them, even if it feels like torture, in order to move on.”
4. “Double-Barrelled”
“This song is about the fight to turn your current situation into one that society deems acceptable – which these days is meant to be one of pure perfection. Social media can make you feel that you aren’t enough – whether that’s how you look like, the things you do or what you are striving for in life. Most people have to do a job that they don’t want to in order to keep their head above water. One way to do that is to use their imagination as a means of escape, but ultimately, that can be a bad thing when you come crushing back down to earth.
The girl the song is about is fictional – she’s rich and has been pushing it too far until she takes her own life. I’m not religious, and sometimes, the idea of hell and heaven is laughable to me. I think it’s awful to live in fear of an afterlife when this life can be a wonderful place to be. For me, rock music has always been my escape and my sanctuary. I’ve always devoured it like a fiend as a way to keep myself positive and distracted from whatever bullshit it is that I’m facing.”
5. “Two of a Kind”
“This is a break up song. When you are in the middle of one, it feels like your whole world is crumbling, and the person that was your anchor has turned into your enemy. When people argue, they rarely listen to the other side of the argument. It’s very much a “fuck you – you hurt me” situation, but this song is coming from the standpoint of someone that has been a punching bag for a long time. I’ve had breakups where it’s felt like my confidence has been severed at the spine, but you do get through it. But yeah, this is a sad love story that doesn’t end well. Plus, that chorus is dying for a sweaty venue and people screaming it back at me.”
6. “Which Way the Water Flows”
“I have a soft spot for this song as this one came together vocally for me at a time when I felt intimidated doing my thing over this new batch of songs, which are way more melodic than our last EP. It helped me get my confidence back and think about a new way to attack the recordings. I’d been sober for two and a half years at this point and just wanted to have a good time – it’s a plea for someone to drag me out of my sobriety and show me what it means just to have a good time again. I’m back drinking now and have a healthier relationship with it than I used to, but there’s always that knowledge in my head to keep in mind how quickly it can go south if I don’t stay in control. I think I’ll be alright. I’ve been around for a while now…”
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