Sometimes you need an artist to put everything into context for you. On Jeff Rosenstock’s new album, “Post-,” he does just that. With all the confusion and noise that is going on right now in the world, it takes a Jeff Rosenstock album to make everything fit into place. A New York rocker formerly of Bomb the Music Industry fame, he surprise released his latest album, “Post-,” just over a year after his break out album “WORRY.” It was hard to imagine Rosenstock living up to the high bar that he set for himself back in 2016, but he clears the bar with distance to spare as he comes through with keen one liners, power pop anthems and a magnetic album unlike any other.
With each track on “WORRY” Rosenstock took, bite – sized moments to say what he had to say, and it was always poignant. “Post-” stretches out these moments into sprawling musical landscapes while retaining the gut punch observations that he has become known for. No track better exemplifies this than opener, “USA.” “USA” is a seven-minute, multi-phased opus that keeps you on your toes from beginning to end all while setting up the rest of the record. The track kicks off with him essentially shouting the lyrics at the listener. He has never been a fantastic singer, but the way he throws himself into a performance is engaging and enthralling. The track eventually swirls into an ambient drone around the mid-way point that is melodic and beautiful. It lets the track build to the magnificent end of the track. As the song comes back in, it ramps up with Rosenstock murmuring the lyrics, “We’re tired and bored” over and over again. As the guitars start to pull back in and the track gets louder, it’s almost impossible to not sing along as he shouts, “et tu USA, et tu et tu USA.” Many people have some pent up anger when it comes to the current state of affairs in the United States, and Rosenstock plays into that with this ferocious opener.
The album then goes into a slew of shorter tracks that keep the energy high and continue to take jabs at the establishment. “Yr Throat,” “Powerlessness” and “TV Stars” are all highlights in their own right that range from breakneck tunes to soaring power ballads. It seems as if he went into each track with a message in mind and finds the best way to say it in the short time he has. Each track is unique in its own right, but they all fit into the theme of the record, making it a cohesive masterpiece.
The production is another aspect worth mentioning, as it can make or break a punk album. Often it can be too muddy or too pristine. It’s important to find a middle ground, and I think Rosenstock and Co. found that here. When an instrument needs to shine through, it steals the show. From the punchy drums on “Beating My Head Against the Wall,” to the smooth guitar solo on “Yr Throat” everything sounds meticulously in place all while keeping a grimy tone that is necessary for this kind of record.
The last two tracks, “9/10” and “Let Them Win” close out the album in a grand and fitting conclusion. “9/10” is a plucky ballad that pulls at the heartstrings. As he sings about a girl that he just can’t seem to get out of his head. Rosenstock even brings on long time partner Laura Stevenson to sing along on the chorus and to play into the love stricken tone the track brings.
The album closer ,“Let Them Win”, is the perfect bookend. It is defiant, uncompromising and powerful. As Rosenstock and friends howl, “We’re not gonna let them win,” It’s near impossible to not get caught up in it and sing along. It is the cherry on top of an already phenomenal album as it fades at the end into a serine melody of melodic synthesizers that puts the capstone on a masterclass in what a punk record should be in 2018. “Post-” is a great way to kick of the year in music and leaves me excited to see what Jeff Rosenstock has up his sleeve in the future.
Rating: 10/10
