ANARBOR - LOVE & DRUGS
Credit: Yellowbox Films
Anarbor have released their fifth full-length studio album Love & Drugs and they are thoroughly putting the pop in pop punk.
The band have not released an entire project in the form of a full length studio album since 2016, but they have been expanding their discography and sound through the means of singles and an EP. The Phoenix-based duo, who are best known for providing the theme tunes for the likes of Cartoon Network's Scooby Doo and ESPN’s sports Center, have honed in on a sound sound that feels crafted and tailor-made to them with Love & Drugs.
It is common for bands that exist in the pop-punk, alternative-rock, genres to create two dimensional albums that stay within ‘music genre rules’ when creating albums with most tracks alternating between ballads featuring heavily punk inspired vocals and fast tempo, electric guitar heavy tracks that could be from the mid 2000’s. It’s Asia they want to remain loyal to punk whilst briefly touching on pop but Anarbor show this is something they are not afraid of with their latest album. It leans heavily into the alternative pop side with tracks like ‘Drugs’, ‘Slow Distraction’ and ‘Good Time.’ It is a stunning exhibition of the musical development that has occurred for Anarbor.
This is not the only direction they have explored, two of the tracks feature other artists which pushes the album into a whole subgenre of its own. Although not it’s not completely uncommon to see hip-hop inspired verses on Alternative tracks, it is refreshing when done well and that is exactly what ‘Durango’ and ‘Emergency’ are. Featuring hip-hop and fellow Phoenix natives Belaganas and Emergency featuring rapper Sammy Adams, land perfectly in the center of the album and provide an enjoyable shift in tone.
In what seems to be a common theme, particularly after the global pandemic, the upbeat melodies and catchy guitar riffs disguise the darkness of the lyrics and overall story of the track. Love is constantly referred to as a drug and that idea is a common theme throughout the album (if that wasn’t self-explanatory by the title). Talking about the single ‘Drugs’, lead vocalist and bassist Slade recalled “‘Drugs’ is a song that begins with a story. It draws you in with its catchy guitar riff and retro verse melody. Once the chorus hits, it’s everything you wanted and more. When I heard the first mix, I couldn’t get the hook out of my head for days, so much that I would hear it in my sleep. It’s upbeat and simple, and sometimes that’s all it takes.” This can easily be applied to nearly all of the tracks.
The highlights of the album include the first track ‘Slow Distraction’, ‘Letter in a Suitcase’ and ‘Durango’.
Love & Drugs is a diverse, multi-dimensional album that exhibits multiple different genres whilst still managing to retain the feeling that it is a completely cohesive body of art.
Taylor Duffy
★★★★☆