ALBUM REVIEW: Destroy Boys - Funeral Soundtrack #4
Sacramento punk band, Destroy Boys, are releasing their 4th studio album, very loud and proud!
This new album title name is a result of the band going through growth and changes very important and drastic in their lives. It is also a big message towards anyone getting in their way industry professionals or otherwise they aren’t to be messed with or walked all over and therefore they are cutting them out - a death or funeral for them too.
Destroy Boys are making leaps and bounds within the industry, accredited to their activism concerning systems of oppression as well as the acceptance of LGBTQ+ and queer people. Even on larger stages are accumulating accreditation with the likes of supporting Alkaline Trio, Blink 182, Pierce The Veil on previous tours as well as successfully headlining shows.
Back in 2022 I had the wonderful opportunity to get up-close and personal to shoot, review and absorb myself in Destroy Boys at The Key Club, Leeds.
Once again a great opportunity to write and review this new release!
Opening with Bad Guy, the tone is low and open with some shoegaze influences with minimal and straight to the point lyrics, it’s a great opener to set the scene of what’s about to come.
I can tell straight away from this track alone that the production quality has heavily improved from previous releases. It has the raw roots but has thrusted them into clarity, vocally you can hear much cleaner production and the layering develops the sonically bigger sound.
Plucked is a little more light-hearted than the ominous opener, the chorus has a bounce and the post- chorus has some really graceful harmonies, really pulling out Alexia Roditis’ vocals to it’s full range, with a bubbly pop structure, it makes Beg For Torture feel brutal following on, dropping down to heavy, thunderous tones, providing short snappy, angry punk track. A definite hardcore ripper!
Praying is the longest track of the album and I would argue the most sonically interesting, progressive and evoking track. Very catchy lyrics that hits home, you can really hear the shoegazy - Siouxsie and the Banshees influences in this.
Amor Divino goes back to that bouncing light hearted tone. As an English speaker this is so fresh to hear, and the diversity and the representation is something to admire, this follows suit within Shadow (I’m Breaking Down) part English and Spanish integrating. This one has added sparkle, almost 80’s twist to it but holding tight the hardcore bite.
Shedding Skin integrates acoustic and salsa styles, this feels like the halfway point in the album, almost like an interlude that Paramore used in their 2013 self titled album to break up the but, unlike Paramore, this stands on it’s own two feet as a track.
And The track I have been anticipating the most, one of the leading singles Should Have Been Me. high energy and chaos condensed into one minute, paired with the music video, intense and imaginative horror starring guitarist Violet Mayugba.
You Don’t Know has a nostalgic aura to it with shoegaze and almost a mid-western emo style to it. It’s catchy, emotive and definitely a favourite of mine for the much more soothing pop-punk guitar rhythms. There’s some cynicism to the song, sad yet empowering. Followed by You Hear Yes (ft Scowl and Mannequin Pussy) Kicking up a political storm describing real world issues of violence against women- it’s angry and loud to highlight what needs to be heard. Kick things where they matter. It really contrasts the previous tracks and even raises my own female rage towards the world.
And to finally close the Album, Boyfeel, another leading single that carries weight, kicks up political anger but also holds a warm, gentle safe space for LGBTQ+ people. The music video pairs so well with it driving the music home in such a beautiful way that really stands by its message and people. Very beautiful and enriching track.
Over all I’d say this is such an empowering, emotive and beautiful album that really holds a safe space. Destroy Boys are constantly changing, improving and empowering themselves and fans. Their sound I believe is worthy of that stadium and sound they are looking for. This album will surely thrust their careers further. I’m so excited for more.
