Fucked Up
Another Day
SELF-RELEASED
At least one of four types of conflict––man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, man vs. society—lies at the heart of every story presented in the form of art. The latter is the choice conflict for just about every credible and mindfully crafted punk record, and the best of that bunch facilitates the cathartic exorcizing (and exercising) of pent-up fury at what’s wrong with the world. Since forming in 2001, unfailingly captivating and cutting Toronto outfit Fucked Up have notched seven conventional (e.g. permanent) full-lengths that consummate that punk-rock mission, even if the designation of “hardcore punk” is most commonly attached to the quintet instead.
While deciding which of Fucked Up’s stellar releases is widely accepted as their crowning achievement can feel like Sophie’s Choice, the band’s latest, Another Day, deserves a mention in that conversation. “Grab the sticks and help me build the fire,” Fucked Up’s ursine vocalist Damian Abraham screams halfway through the record on “Paternal Instinct.” “Stack them up until they make a fire… Again, I’ll show / We’re the ones that will burn it all down.” With such scathingly written words, delivered in rip-roaring fashion, Abraham can’t be blamed for drawing so much attention to himself within a five-person lineup. But the brilliance of Another Day doesn’t rest on his shoulders alone; lead guitarist Mike Haliechuk, bassist Sandy Miranda, rhythm guitarist Josh Zucker, and drummer/guitarist Jonah Falco—like Abraham, all founding members (and all backing vocalists, to boot)—deserve credit for Fucked Up’s durability and consistency over the years.
“Equal credit” would seem to be a more equitable phrase, though Haliechuk also co-produced 2014’s Glass Boys and 2018’s Dose Your Dreams, and produced last year’s One Day and this record by himself (he also helped write lyrics). Indeed, it’s Haliechuk ever-improving production skills that make this chapter of Fucked Up particularly vibrant. The passel’s potent, punchy sound practically jumps out of speakers across this 10-track outing—so much so, in fact, that one could almost argue that listening to this ferociously live-sounding record negates the need to see Fucked Up throw down one of their bombastic live performances. Almost.
From start to finish, Fucked Up barely come up for air on Another Day, so it’s no surprise that this is the brilliant band’s shortest full-length to date. Lending more support to the argument that they’re not a hardcore-punk band, nary a song lasts fewer than two and a half minutes. “Stimming” is so uplifting, one can imagine Fucked Up and their fans wearing all smiles when the band plays it live. “Tell Yourself You Will” features guitar heroics without, impossibly, getting too flashy. “Face” and the title track are two of the catchiest punk songs in the band’s oeuvre. “Divining Gods” relentlessly inspires the listener to sing along.
Fucked Up seem to be running out of gas by “The One to Break It,” “More,” and “Follow Fine Feeling,” but they finish stronger than an ox on the album-closing “House Lights”—a five-minute track that incorporates Another Day’s greatest strengths into one hell of a grand finale. Taken as a whole, the album practically transports the listener to Valhalla. How they could possibly outdo themselves yet again seems mathematically impossible. We’ll have to leave that for another day.
