For the leftists with feelings

Touche Amore – Lament [Epitaph 2020]

Jeremy Bolm’s reaction to Stage Four’s reception. I don’t know what its like having kids in every city try to share their pain with you from death like you’ll know what to do (and based on the WHOLE record neither does Bolm). Knowing his insecurity and anxiety it’s wracked him with stress that’s yielded their most easy to digest music to date – so easy in fact that it may not register after spin 5 or 6 despite being the biggest and brightest (and funniest) he’s managed to be. Anxiety as motivator over 5 albums but how you reflect is up to you. 3.9/5

Idles – Ultra Mono [Partisan 2020]

To paraphrase a genius.com comment: I agree with everything here but yikes on the cringe level. Being sick of being called a cliché slogan band once you achieve notoriety must be a bitch huh? Then they respond with some of the best music they’ve done even if Joe Talbot is still so starstruck he speaks in gibberish for two songs. They’re supposed to be pro-working class but that doesn’t mean pro-hate so they get a pass from me for “The Village”, after all no one is singularly faceted. Still seems a little self-involved. 3.3/5

Deftones – Ohms [Reprise 2020]

Ah yes, the leftover nu metal band who discovered experimentation a decade and a half ago now solely plays songs that sound like Tool fronted by Robert Smith. Compared to the tailgates of System of a Down or Linkin Park these guys are like standing in line with dad at the bank. Maybe you’ll get a lollipop, ya know, if you’re good. 2.0/5

Pvris – Use Me [Warner 2020]

“Heartbreak sux” says the Chvrches of the now defunct Warped Tour 3.0/5