Favorite song: I Am My Own Muse
Least favorite: Fake Out
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Fall Out Boy’s eighth long-awaited album, “So Much (For) Stardust,” was released on March 24th, 2023. With eleven songs and two spoken word pieces, Fall Out Boy produced an album that the band says compares to the spirit of their divisive 2009 album “Folie à Deux.” The band sticks to its roots with dominating drum beats, stomping, clapping, and backup vocals to which fans can bob their heads. Its orchestra-rock fusion tracks will make fans excited for their upcoming summer tour.
Since it’s been five years since their last album, “Mania,” Fall Out Boy’s return was much anticipated, so I initially had mixed feelings about this album. As someone who isn’t a fan of songs that are predominantly chorus, it was hard at first for me to get behind the album, but the toe-tapping feel-good yet still heartfelt vibe is what kept me listening and, eventually, even songs I didn’t enjoy when I first heard them, grew on me. Opening with a heavy-hitter like “Love From the Other Side” and it’s piano and strings introduction makes the beat drop all the more exciting. Although sticking to a pop-punk, alternative vibe, Fall Out Boy plays around with distortion, like in “Hold Me Like a Grudge.” Just before the chorus, the distorted guitar gives the song a hard rock feel while keeping to its classic sound. Although the album’s heart is rock, you can feel that the band dipped their fingertips into other genres. For example, “Feeling So Good Right Now” or “What a Time to Be Alive” isn’t my style with its catchy, upbeat melody and paired lyrics. It’s something someone who enjoys feel-good pop songs you can jump around to may enjoy. “Heaven, Iowa,” however, I found to be the most repetitive song on the album, with the chorus coming too frequently between verses and dragging on for far too long. However, it redeemed itself with a tear-jerking ballad. “Tell me when the party ends / Will you still love who I am? / I am.” Track 8, “I Am My Own Muse” picked the middle of the album back up for me, but the first time I heard it, I felt like it was just building up to something that never paid off. With the heavy guitar and suspenseful riffs, I waited for a heavy-hitting, head-banging chorus to follow. Yet, it never came. At first, this was the song I was the most disappointed by, but after listening to it a few more times, I’ve become comfortable with what to expect from the song, and it has worked its way up to one of my favorites. Interestingly enough, “I Am My Own Muse” and “Heaven, Iowa” are the only two songs titled after something other than song lyrics, which I always used to admire about classic emo and rock songs.
Although it had a handful of skippable songs, Fall Out Boy’s new album held my attention as they travel back to their classic sound and make rock songs even those who like radio hits can dance to. I will be attending their show this summer at PNC Bank Center and am looking forward to what else this band has to offer.