Fucked Up Create Anthems in Minutes on ‘Another Day’

Last year’s stellar Fucked Up release One Day turned out to be just the type of revitalization they needed, a concise blast of catchy hardcore balancing the state of the world and the state of domestic life. About a year and a half later, we get Another Day. While it wasn’t created under the same circumstances, it is nearly its predecessor’s equal, exuding a similar positive energy. Another Day sounds downright triumphant for much of its run time and is among the very best Fucked Up records in a formidable catalog.

Where One Day had experiments like “I Think I Might Be Weird” alongside classic-sounding rippers like “Huge New Her”, Another Day focuses on adding color through 1970s rock riffs. One Day highlight “Broken Little Boys” seems to be the musical starting point for much of Another Day. That song’s relentless but catchy sound informs many of the best moments. 

The first several tracks explode and fly by at a relentless pace. “Face” opens the album in a way that should get any longtime fan stirred, with Damien Abraham barking over a classic Fucked Up arrangement. “Stimming” barrels ahead with a similar tempo and reliance on a driving, catchy riff. Despite the band members’ contributions being recorded at different times, the sound is full and matches the explosiveness of their live shows. “Tell Yourself You Will” is one of the high points, a summation of everything that makes Fucked Up so compelling right now–positive, upbeat lyrics and a driving, pummeling sound.

Then, the title track chugs along with a memorable riff and an affirmation of the glory of getting up every day to do it again, hoping for the best. Abraham’s signature growl glides a riff that recalls Thin Lizzy. The back end takes more sonic chances but never flags on energy. Twin takedowns of toxic masculinity build to massive shout-alongs, “Paternal Instinct” declaring, “We’re the ones that will burn it all down”, and “Divining Gods” “Let’s fetch the hammer and nails” aims at hypocritical leaders. “More” slows things down a bit before rallying to finish big with “Follow Fine Feeling”, and “House Lights” works as a summary of the preceding tracks. It all comes down to what we have today, who we have today, and how much we appreciate it. If we are lucky, we get another day and another until the last one.

Fucked Up have never shied away from ambition, from the Zodiac series to David Comes to Life’s hardcore opera to the far-reaching experimentation of Dose Your Dreams. While those records are undoubtedly impressive for their expansiveness and commitment, it’s a testament to the greatness of Fucked Up that they can also turn on a dime and forge an exciting new path by seemingly letting go a bit and blending elements of the fiery hardcore that has been their calling card with anthemic, hooky rock.

Their career is beginning to resemble greats like the Clash or Hüsker Dü, never settling, always blazing a trail solely their own. While the band’s seeking and restlessness produced arguably their masterpiece (The Chemistry of Common Life), they wear this new satisfaction and reconciliation with life well. Bring on Yet Another Day.