Fucked Up Create Anthems in Minutes on ‘Another Day’
Canadian hardcore legends Fucked Up channel 1970s riffage and wear a hard-won optimism well on Another Day. It’s among their best albums.
punk
GEL’s Restlessness Is Thrilling on ‘Persona’
Hardcore punk band GEL’s ability to weave new influences into their sound while remaining instantly identifiable sets them apart. They’re a breath of fresh air.
Emo’s Ogbert the Nerd Deliver ‘What You Want’ on New LP
Ogbert the Nerd sound exuberant. There is a beating heart and pathos under the hooks, and they have much to offer listeners outside of emo’s ardent fans.
Bad Brains Reissue the Timeless ‘I Against I’
Canonical DC hardcore act Bad Brains remain as vital as ever. Almost 40 years after I Against I’s initial release, it’s remarkable how timeless it sounds.
Tim O’Brien of Blood Is a Multi-Dimensional Man
It’s raucous, it’s queer, and it’s uncompromising. Blood’s Tim O’Brien is sticking to his guns. “I won’t change the [band] name for the sake of search engines.”
Detroit’s Big Life Channel Punk’s Revolution Summer
For those who like their hardcore punk with hooks and intelligent, witty lyrics, Big Life deliver big time on two EPs. They are music lovers first and foremost.
Hüsker Dü’s ‘Zen Arcade’ at 40: Do You Remember?
In the early 1980s, Hüsker Dü paved the way for alternative rock, adding the power, anger, and pain of hardcore punk to a mix of 1960s and 1970s pop-rock styles.
Joyce Manor’s ‘Never Hungover Again’ Is a Timeless Snapshot of Fading Youth
Joyce Manor’s ‘Never Hungover Again’ still sounds urgent and endlessly replayable cranked up loud with the windows down, and it will stay that way.
2 Tone: Race, Music, and Pop Culture in Thatcher’s UK
2 Tone found a sweet spot between punk anger and pop sensibility that mirrored the myriad poles they were trying to bridge in their band members and audiences.
The Lovely Eggs Explore Everyday Struggles and Triumphs
The Lovely Eggs’ latest LP retains their singular blend of psychedelic punk and introspective eccentricity while detailing everyday life’s beauty and pain.
METZ Embrace Melody ‘Up on Gravity Hill’
Canadian noise punks go widescreen on their latest to thrilling effect. METZ embrace melody but still bring the noise Up on Gravity Hill.
Green Day Rock Out for Climate Justice and Human Rights
It’s downright heartwarming to see Green Day back in action, calling out the powers that be in 2024 and urging climate action. Long live rock!