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Canadian hardcore punk outfit Fucked Up is back with their first new full length since 2014. The group has been known for their art rock output as of late, concept EPs they put out years following the Chinese Zodiac. The band is known for disliking each other, sometimes to the point of physical altercations. It is likely a side effect from both the front man and one of the guitarists being songwriters and lyricists, resulting in butting heads. But the result is hard to argue with, Fucked Up has been adored by critics since they came on the scene.

This album sees one of those two songwriters, lead vocalist Damian Abraham, take a back seat. His vocals don't even appear in ever song on this album. Instead, the whole group does leads at various points throughout the record. It's much more experimental and broad in its genre, employing a lot of pop influences. This results in an album that some how continues the art rock sound they had been cultivating and challenging the listener, while at the same time being very poppy. With a mammoth 18 tracks, the album gives the band plenty of room to explore this new space they find themselves in.

Like the past couple Fucked Up albums, it's also concept. It has a story and follows a main character in rock opera-like fashion. Their anti-capitalist message comes through in the magical reality of the story of a factory worker that is shown the drudgery of modern life by a sorceress.

It's ambitious, fun and at the end of day, still very much punk. Super enjoyable, in my opinion. A good introduction to the band if you've never heard them, though you may find their past work a little more one dimensional.

It's difficult to describe how much I adore Ephixa's style ever since he came back to making music. It's mostly future house, with catchy basses and melodies, along with some nostalgic and kinda trance-y vibes.

His latest release: Ephixa - Dreamstate

Other songs like this:

Ephixa - Skyforth

• I have great nostalgic memories listening to this in the middle of the night on a road trip across Canada :)

Ephixa & Laura Brehm - Losing You

• Laura Brehm is also one of my favourite singers, and I think the vocals work beautifully in this track

Ephixa & Laura Brehm - Deja Vu

• 👌

Ephixa & Bossfight - Subside

• This song is pretty different from the other ones. It's much heavier, and it has the most addicting bass I've ever heard. Also got me into Bossfight, another great artist