American Lips has returned with their sophomore album, On Strike!, eight years after the release of their debut LP, Kiss The Void. The Montréal/Los Angeles trio channel an inferno of fiery energy right from the start with swagger-driven rock-and-roll that knocks you over with every blow. The band consists of Jessica Bruzzese on bass guitar and vocals; Death From Above 1979’s Sebastien Grainger on drums, synthesizers, and vocals; and Adrian Popovich on vocals, guitars, synthesizers. Additionally, composer Christophe Lamarche-Ledoux contributed alto sax on “Record Store Day” and “Free Therapy,” and Alexander Ortiz programmed the drum machine on “The New Boss.”
The opening track, “Record Store Day,” features a frantic and fleeting alto sax that accentuates an incredibly danceable indie-punk foreground. Right out of the gate, the band assets its commanding presence and clear intention to ignite a dance party. “Cardboard Trash” leans into post-punk, with vocals that function more like a voice-over narration between the more melodic choruses featuring Bruzzese. The music shifts toward an indie-rock-inspired sound with “Got it Made,” offering a brief breath of air between the energetic punk punches.
The title track “On Strike” is a simple yet fierce concept, with the line “I’m on strike” being repeated throughout the song’s backdrop. References to a tariff war and JD Vance makes the track especially topical and true to its punk roots. Many punk bands don’t acknowledge the genre’s origins, but American Lips cleverly weave in their protest themes without letting them overpower the music.
“This Is The Top” is another track that begs for a singalong chorus, urging listeners to take action and feel the music on an infectious level. The shortest track on the album, “The New Boss,” still manages to build atmosphere. While concise and to the point, it never feels rushed. On Strike! closes out with “Free Therapy,” the album’s longest track. Featuring the return of Lamarche-Ledoux’s alto sax, this song ends the album with a sprint to the finish.
At a runtime of just shy of twenty-three minutes, American Lips waste no time showing what they’re about. The ten tracks on On Strike! showcase the band’s range and their ability to maintain high energy in a compact format. It’s a statement on punk music, and thanks to the trio’s musical aptitude, there’s more to meets the eye in terms of interesting production and electronic textures throughout the album.
Leave a Reply