With politics and culture becoming so strange and partisan, it was only a matter of time until veteran pop-punkers Green Day wrote about it. That time has come with the release of Saviors, the band’s 14th studio album, a 15-track punk and garage rock-influenced rager that takes on the anger, frustration and incredulousness of daily life in the 2020s.
Touching on themes of political ideology (“1981”), cultural norms, family (“Father To A Son”), sobriety (“Dilemma”), sexuality (“Bobby Sox”), social distancing (“Suzie Chapstick”), mass shootings, social media, broadcast media and more, Saviors leaves no subject unscrutinized. The album starts with the rousing wake-up call of “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” which bursts forth and bulldozes the idea of the idyllic “american dream.” “Coma City” rags on culture for turning a blind eye to what’s happening around them in a similar fashion to 2017’s “Back In The USA.” The pairing of current happenings like supermarket shootings and murder hornets with old-style turns of phrases like “ain’t that a kick in the head” in “Living In The ‘20s” seems very poignant to me. “Strange Days Are Here To Stay,” is full of both rage and disappointment about the strange times we live in. It ends with the bold “Fancy Sauce,” whose windy, chromatic melody and repetitive verses make you feel like you’re going loopy until the guitars kick in triumphantly proclaim you’re not the only one.
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong isn’t afraid to get personal either. “Dilemma” deals with his struggle to stay sober in a sincere, honest and urgent way. “Father To A Son” is a touching tribute to his two sons on par with “When It’s Time” (which he wrote for his wife).
More than content, I really enjoy the early punk influences reflected in these songs. You can hear strains of the Ramones on “1981” and “Look Ma, No Brains!” and the Clash-ness of the gang vocals on “One-Eyed Bastard.” The chaos of “Bobby Sox’s” chorus is meant for the mosh pit.
Saviors is Green Day’s strongest album in years. Filled with biting political and cultural commentary and melodies rooted in early punk and garage rock, it’s a potent listen for those looking to feel something from their music.
Green Day’s Saviors is available now via Reprise.
