The latest ten-song endeavor from the pop-rock treasure Fall Out Boy, entitled MAN I A, is not the conventional sound the band has been accustomed for. However, the final product, while not a perfect cut, has proven to show the risk was worth taking.
After delaying the initial release from September until now, the album has proven to be something much worth the wait.
The new sound for MAN I A has proven to be risky due to the new pop sound the album has taken on since the first single. While not all ten songs are perfect, there are some powerful moments that prove Fall Out Boy has plenty of hits left up their sleeve.
This includes the second single, “Champion,” one of the loudest and most radio-friendly moments of the whole record. It has a poppy kick that sharply pivoted their traditional sound, as discussed in this article. This song also mimics their previous hit single, “Centuries.” Despite being formulaic, it works well for the band.
“Young and Menace” the album’s first single and opener, is a pop experiment that has worked in the band’s favor, despite the initial hesitation at its release last April. When Patrick Stump, the band’s lead singer, croons into the sparse guitar and slick beat, “We’ve gone way too fast for way too long,” it gives the listener just a taste of how the new Fall Out Boy has revamped their sound. The rallying cry in the chorus provides a triumphant introduction for not just the new album, but sound as well.
The best thing about MAN I A is the small and unexpected moments hidden in the new songs. “Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea” and “Church” are perfect examples of Fall Out Boy not entirely giving up on their old sound. However, it provides a slight pop twist. Both of these songs have incredible moments with a strong instrumental presence and even a choir.
The band never fails to have some fun with their lyrics, including, “I’m about to go Tonya Harding on the whole world’s knee” in the potential future single, “Stay Frosty.”
Gospel-based number “Heaven’s Gate” shows Stump making a powerful contribution to the record, crooning about the flaws he has experienced in relationships, as well as providing a stripped down moment that guarantees to leave listeners breathless.
But, there are still some clunky moments in the album. For example, the recent single “Hold Me Tight or Don’t” keeps album from reaching its full potential. The song incorporates a Latin beat and cheesy lyrics such as, “And when your stitch comes loose, I wanna sleep on every piece of fuzz and stuffing that comes out of you.” This causes the record to lose the momentum it promised to provide.
While the new sound shows Fall Out Boy’s large shift from their traditional sound found on Infinity on High and Under the Cork Tree, some of the pop moments on the record did not pan out as well as it could ha
Despite the drawbacks, one of the highlights of this new record include the album’s closer “Bishops Knife Trick,” which brings the album to an almost spiritual conclusion. It is a bold moment, reminiscing on the past and focuses on moving past the hard times in life and relationships.
While the addition of MAN I A to the Fall Out Boy repertoire will be a divisive moment for listeners, it shows the band trying out some new sounds and giving their fans moments that will leave them hungry for more. The band has definitely taken a risk in changing up their sound, but it has been well paid off.
If they can live through this, they can do anything.
