Earlier this year, we watched Jeff Rosenstock’s blood-filled music video for “Nausea”, a self-deprecating yet fun-packed song instantly gratified with punk anthem status. Like this video and much of his career as leader of Bomb the Music Industry!, his newest release from upcoming album We Cool? does not disappoint. “You, In Weird Cities” starts fast, with depressive lyrics about the monotony of long distance love, followed only by louder, more intricate drum patterns and angrier shouting. Unlike the witty and humorous “Nausea”, this track is more formless, leaving listeners to wonder whether the song is one about love, hate, or both. Rosenstock conveys emotions so strong that it feels simultaneously menacing and heartwarming, topped with the added intensity of a simplistic yet tenacious chorus: “Nothing makes me happy, I’m like a shitty child. Nothing makes me laugh, nothing makes me smile. But when I listen to your records, it’s like I’m hanging out with you.” Rosenstock is still a downer but, more importantly, he still delivers memorable, emotionally triggering songs.
We Cool? will be available March 3 on Side One Dummy.
