Fall Out Boy

So Much (For) Stardust

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Genre: Pop Punk.
Released: 24/03/2023
Via Electra Music Group

Album Review: Fall Out Boy – So Much (For) Stardust

Fall Out Boy’s much-anticipated return is finally here with their brand new album ‘So Much (For) Stardust’! This marks their first full-length release since 2018’s more poppy affair titled ‘Mania’. From the single releases alone, this album seems to take a direct route back to a more rocky feel so I couldn’t pass the opportunity to give my thoughts on this record!

Opening the album is the lead single ‘Love From The Other Side’, a beefy track with a ridiculously catchy chorus that will be stuck in your head for a good week after listening to it. Bouncy drumming matched with simple yet catchy riffs is a recipe for a hit! Following that is the second single to be released on the record titled ‘Heartbreak Feels So Good’. This track seems to blend a more rocky feel with the band’s more radio-friendly style from recent releases. The guitar work is the shining beacon of this track as it compliments the vocal melody brilliantly adding a tonne of emphasis at the right moments. 

Up next is the bass-filled ‘Hold Me Like A Grudge’, a more attitude-filled track that is surprisingly danceable. Its dominant bass line gives the song a tonne of punch that is sure to have you banging your head along to its infectious beat. ‘Fake Out’ seems to lean more towards a more poppy esc sound while still trying to capture some of the raw attitudes that have been generated from the previous tracks. A more soppy track that unsurprisingly explores themes of relationships and love. 

Getting a little more experimental is the track ‘Heaven Iowa’. Opening with the sounds of shakers and a more delicate vocal delivery from Patrick. This song as a whole is much more vocally driven with its interesting use of harmonies and emphasis. Completely switching up the style is ‘So Good Right Now’ which really gives off kids’ cartoon opening energy! Extremely bouncy and just a real feel-good song is a welcome change in pace for the record. 

The album has a few spoken word numbers with the first coming in the form of ‘The Pink Seashell’ and these really just serve as atmospheric transitions for example, this one leads perfectly into the epic opening of ‘I Am My Own Muse’. This song utilizes a more broad instrumental track from sting sections to heavenly harmonies. ‘Flu Game’ brings back a much more beefy tone due to amazing drumming work from Andy Hurley. 

Once again, ‘Baby Annihilation’ is another spoken word track. I know, I was also hoping Fall Out Boy had decided to drop a cheeky death metal track, however, it’s just an artistic transition into ‘The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)’. This track itself really captures the whole album’s feel. A more rock-focused entry with hints of the band’s progression over recent releases merged together. I would go as far as calling it pop-rock but it certainly has elements of both genres. 

If a celebration song is your cup of tea then ‘What A Time To Be Alive’ is the track for you! All the good vibes emanating from this joyous number at the fall of the record! The album’s final offering is the title track ‘So Much (For) Stardust’, a unique and funky number that even calls back to the first song by repeating lines from its chorus to generate familiarity for the listener. It’s a great track to tie the album up nicely. 

This isn’t the return of Pop Punk Fall Out Boy however it is a brand new era of the band that caters to both old and new fans nicely. The band just sound better with a rock background and this blend of radio rock and old-school Fall Out Boy is a very welcome change to the formula.