The Wonder Years: No Closer To Heaven

It's been nearly two months since this record came out and I've found it difficult to write about. As I said before, The Wonder Years' previous record "The Greatest Generation" has become one of my all time favourite albums. No Closer To Heaven is a very different beast, forgoing that record's crisp production for a sound that's rough around the edges.

"Cardinals" provides a high octane start, with furious drumming accompanying a soaring chorus. "I Don't Like Who Was Then" recalls the aspirational spirit that characterises much of the band's previous work ("I want to shoulder the weight til my back breaks, I want to run til my lungs give up"). Similarly "The Bluest Things On Earth" is the sort of crunchy riffed, anthemic pop punk track the band have become known for. "You In January" demonstrates a more pop friendly side to the band, its use of keyboards contributing to a more melodic focus.

 The record's two stand out tracks are "Cigarettes and Saints" and "Stained Glass Ceilings". The former unravels from a funereal opening into something quite special, with lead singer Dan Campbell spitting out invective like "We put our faith in you, you turned a profit". The Greatest Generation was about the responsibilities of manhood. Here, the band turn their gaze outward, lamenting "John Wayne's God complex" in a vicious crique of the American mindset towards firearms.

No Closer To Heaven's showcases a subtle shift in the band's sound and its pleasures are more subtle than its predecessor. It's the kind of record that rewards multiple listens, cementing The Wonder Years' position as pop punk's new champions.

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