Mania Album Review
Kaitlin Nunez | USD Radio
Mania
Fall Out Boy
Label: Island Records / DCD2
Release Date: January 19th, 2018
Earlier this year, Fall Out Boy released their long-awaited seventh studio album entitled Mania. The album features songs that are a perfect blend of pop and rock. Mania is an example of how diverse Fall Out Boy’s sound can be; this album differs greatly from their earlier pop-punk albums such as From Under The Cork Tree, Infinity On High, and Folie à Deux. Mania’s sound resembles that of their two most recent albums, American Beauty/American Psycho and Save Rock And Roll, which have distinct songs that are both rock and pop. After the release of Mania’s first single, “Young and Menace,” in early 2017, it was evident that Fall Out Boy was working on an album different from what they had done before. Pete Wentz, bassist of Fall Out Boy stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that “It feels like every once in awhile, you’ve gotta do a hard restart that clears the cache and erases the hard drive. I think that’s what [Mania] was – a big palette cleanse.” That “hard restart” introduced Mania and a new era for Fall Out Boy.
Mania begins with “Young and Menace,” and as a first track; it may be a hit or miss for the listener. “Young and Menace” has an intense and unpredictable sound that features the heavily edited vocals of frontman, Patrick Stump, to sound as though his pitch is changing erratically throughout the song. Even though it is nothing like anything Fall Out Boy has done in the past, it is worth a listen and may become the most memorable song of the album.
The second track, “Champion” brings the listener back to the familiar Fall Out Boy of American Beauty/American Psycho. The song, as intense as the previous, has a catchy classic rock sound where Stump displays his powerful vocals. The lyrics are inspiring and it truly does sound like the song of a “champion.” “Champion” is followed by “Stay Frosty Milk Tea,” “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T,” and “The Last of the Real Ones” which feature commanding and passionate performances by the band.
“Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)” is a fun and catchy tune that introduces more of a pop feel to the album while “Church” introduces a completely new tone. For the latter, Stump displays his soulful vocal range and is accompanied by an organ, chiming bells, and even a choir; the song is a definite unique stand out of Mania due to its symphonic instrumental. The pop feel continues with tracks “Heaven’s Gate” and “Sunshine Riptide (feat. Burna Boy).” Mania concludes with “Bishops Knife Trick.” It is a slower song that has vocally empowering moments by Stump and is a satisfying conclusion to the album.
Mania may not be what a long time Fall Out Boy fan is accustomed to, but the album does not disappoint and has unique songs that will satisfy most listeners. The album, a wild ride of intense, powerful, and memorable songs, will be a staple in the band’s successful career.
Track List:
- Young and Menace
- Champion
- Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea
- HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T
- The Last of the Real Ones
- Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)
- Church
- Heaven’s Gate
- Sunshine Riptide (feat. Burna Boy)
- Bishops Knife Trick
Recommended if you like: Panic! At The Disco, All Time Low, Paramore
Album Highlights: “Young and Menace,” “The Last of the Real Ones,” “Church”