Anyone who knows me even just a little bit most likely knows about my undying love for Fall Out Boy. I know every song they've ever put out, including the brand new LP they have now blessed us with.
This is a breakdown of Mania, their newest LP. It's only 10 tracks long, but it was definitely worth the wait. The original release date for this album was in November, but they pushed it back to January 2018 because they literally scrapped almost the entire album and rebuilt it from scratch. These guys don't put out music they're not proud of, another reason I love this band so much.
"Young and Menace"
The album kicks off with "Young and Menace." This was the first song released as a single by the band and it was a huge shock to the fanbase. Fall Out Boy is known for their classic pop-punk sound, which has made them staples in the genre but this song is mixed with quite a bit of EDM... which no one saw coming.
Personally, it's not my favorite work, but it exists and I'll support the band by listening to it anyways. I was a little worried that the whole album would be in this style but Young and Menace is all on its own.
"Champion"
The second track, "Champion," was the second single released from the album. It reflects most of the work that Fall Out Boy has done since returning from their hiatus, which was a sigh of relief for me after hearing Young and Menace. It has a pretty awesome message throughout the song: "If I can live through this, I can do anything". It's pretty quickly become a song I listen to when I need to pump myself up for something and remind myself that I got this.
"Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea"
Back at it again with the song titles that make no sense, the third track is "Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea." This track was not released before the whole album was available, but in my personal opinion, it was WAY worth the wait. They threw it back to their fourth studio album, Folie a Deux, by using some french in the song. It's a healthy mix of their newer sound and some experimental ideas. Easily one of my favorite tracks.
"HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON'T"
OK y'all, this song is the bomb. They released this as the fourth teaser for the album and I had it on blast for days. It's just so easy to groove to and the music video is so cool! It's filmed at a celebration for Día de Los Muertos in Mexico. Just another one to groove to.
"The Last of the Real Ones"
Cutest song ever. This was the third single release for the album and I immediately was thinking of my boyfriend every time I heard it after we started dating. There are so many lyrics in that song that just make you go "aww." For example:
"You are the sun and I am just the planets spinning around you."
"I know this whole damn city thinks it needs you, but not as much as I do."
"I am a collapsing star with tunnel vision, but only for you."
I mean, come on.
"Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)"
"I was gonna say something that would solve all of our problems, but then I got drunk and I forgot what I was talking about"
Relatable.
This was the last song released before the entire LP dropped but I was lucky enough to see it live when I saw them on their MANIA tour in Charlotte back in November. It's so catchy and easy to listen to. This is the song that reminds me the most of the "old" Fall Out Boy.
"Church"
Alright, this song hit me in my heart. The first time I heard it my jaw was on the floor the whole time through. There is so much emotion in this song, I'm assuming because most of it is talking about worshiping their significant other. But the entire second verse is what got me the most:
"I love the world but I just don't love the way it makes me feel
Got a few more fake friends
And it's getting hard to know what's real
And if death is the last appointment
Then we're all just sitting in the waiting room
I am just a human trying to avoid my certain doom"
Like, holy crud. Patrick Stump hitting me right in the chest with his lyrics again.
"Heaven's Gate"
This is such a soulful track. I still have no words for how much I love it.
"I'm gonna need a boost over heaven's gate"
You and me both, dude.
"Sunshine Riptide"
This song has such a reggae influence, which is also something I've never heard from Fall Out Boy before. It's something I can really see myself listening to in the summertime when I'm driving around with all the windows down.
"Bishops Knife Trick"
Another one of my favorite tracks - "Bishops Knife Trick" is the track that wraps up the album. I think it was a really good choice to end the album on this note. It slow and filled with Patrick's powerful vocals, which is easily one of my most favorite things on the planet. Just a good song to scream-sing at the top of your lungs, in my opinion.
There you have it. A track-by-track analysis of how much I love MANIA. I can't wait to keep listening to this album and find new things I love about every song.
