(c) Jeannine Kaufer
Fucked Up challenge themselves and their fans with growing enthusiasm – see and hear “Year Of The Horse” with four overly long songs and complex act structure. Before this ambitious project appeared, a completely different idea had actually been devoted to it, which is now being submitted. For „One Day“ a creative 24-hour rule was imposed: all tracks, all work had to be done and recorded within one day, and at that distance due to the lockdown. With this technical and emotional challenge, the Canadians also want to show how time really slips through their fingers.
That something would work and sound different on this record was already clear in advance when the title track was released. The foundation between hardcore punk and post-hardcore remains recognizable, not only because of the angry vocals, but you actually don’t know such melodies from Fucked Up. In the catchy moments one waits for an anthem à la Kvelertak, and yet the frontal intensity remains the center of attention, at least until the big chorus. “Found” also has catchy tunes, just packaged much more harshly. Here it’s mainly the guitars that flirt with alternative flair, at least until the next descent through the oppressive junk room follows.
In general, this new album is much more direct, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the special creative approach. So “Huge New Her” focuses on the punk aspect, comes across as really rude and breaks open doors with it. The ambiguity typical of Fucked Up is retained, just moves a little further into the background. There lurks a sunny track with “Cicada”, a real rock song that shines with heaviness and clear vocals. For the band, this has a direct radio-friendly effect and accordingly can’t get out of your ear. At the same time, “Lords Of Kensington” serves up stirring post-hardcore with a singing guitar that numbs all the senses – the complete opposite and yet so enchanting.
In this game of opposites, the Canadians rise up and land bull’s-eye after bull’s-eye. “One Day” is for the most part the complete opposite of “Year Of The Horse” and that’s why it’s so exciting. The direct, immediate, sometimes catchy approach suits Fucked Up well and focuses on another facet. Hardcore, punk, post and alternative create a sizzling hodgepodge of conflicting emotions and majestic anthems. Even after all these years, the quintet can still surprise.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: 01/27/2023
Available from: Merge Records (Cargo Records)
Website: www.fuckedup.cc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FUglassboys
Category: Magazin, Reviews