Label: Epitaph Records
Released: 23rd August 2018
Rating: ★★★
Following on from the snarling, smirking pushback of ‘You Are Going To Hate This’, The Frights have once again teamed up with FIDLAR’s Zac Carper for ‘Hypochondriac’. From the leave-those-expectations-at-the-doors welcome of ‘Tell Me Why I’m Ok’ through the infatuated ode to their ‘Broken Brain’ and the slow disco bounce of ‘No Place Like (Not Being) Home’ until the breaking dawn realisation of ‘Alone’, the band are doing things differently this time around. Trading punk rock abandon and that fuck it dog, life’s a risk attitude for something more vulnerable, The Frights float in the moment.
Wanting change but impatient at how long it takes, the record skips between fury and tranquillity. There are quiet realisations and tricks for a better life sat next to rampaging defeats and hopeless impotence. ‘Crutch’ sees them break down walls (including the fourth one) as they tear apart their passion for being in a band, adding up pros and cons and ending up with nothing but fiery anger and the need to continue. That will to life comes at a cost but across the record, The Frights pay their pound of flesh and even leave a tip.
