Fucked Up
Glass Boys
Matador/Arts & Crafts
★★★★ (out of 5 stars) (out of 5 stars)
There’s something remarkable about a piece of art that can awaken the blanketed fervor within us, and Fucked Up’s fourth studio album, Glass Boys, does just that. It’s a cathartic experience for both the creators and those who stumble upon Damian Abraham’s harsh tones over blasting guitar laments. Though a shimmering pop-punk influence akin to the likes of the late Jay Reatard is undeniable beneath layers of hazy noise, especially within tracks such as “Paper the House” and “Led by Hand,” Fucked Up largely rejects all trace of convention. This dissonant inclination even carries through to the words that Abraham spews. If it weren’t for his intimidating stature and crazed antics, the profound lyrics, influenced by topics such as Greek mythology and wasted youth, might not seem out of place in a young poet’s moleskine. Perhaps it’s this catalytic quality that attracts music enthusiasts to Fucked Up’s unapologetic cacophony in the first place – hidden somewhere within Glass Boy’s 42-minute clamor is the message to grab life by the collar, and we’re not going to let the opportunity slip through our fingers this time.
