Pop punk never has gone out of style but if you at any point thought it did then Oakland-based band SWMRS are on a mission to prove you wrong. On their latest release Berkley’s On Fire, the group embrace their pop-punk roots from their earlier releases while demonstrating a notable progression in their songwriting, sound, and style and most importantly deliver a record that flat-out rocks in the process. Right from the get-go, the album gets off to a visceral and high-energy start with the title track “Berkley’s On Fire” which like any good punk song takes on society itself while boasting some sweet riffs and killer hooks in the process. That sense of momentum and energy never lets up and through-out the band broadens their sound by incorporating elements of grunge, punk, alternative, new-wave and even a dash of hip-hop. This results in some pure highlights such as the new-wave inspired “Too Much Coffee” and “Lose Lose Lose” which draws on elements of both surf rock and hip-hop for surprising yet infectious results.
What’s truly so striking about Berkeley’s On Fire is the go for broke intensity and boundless ambition the record possesses. The band is willing to try anything here and it allows for the album to feel genuinely alive and spontaneous on each and every track. The lyrical concerns on this record are also deeper and more mature with the subject matter ranging from social unrest, the angst of our modern generation and relationships themselves. This level of introspection wears itself well on stand-outs such as the hard-hitting “Lonely Ghosts” and the romantic yet clever metaphor of “IKEA Date”. It helps as well that the production here is crisper and cleaner than their previous records and each band member turns in fully committed performances with lead singer Cole Tucker demonstrating a more commanding and confident presence than before.
The record is at it’s most satisfying when the band goes all in and embrace experimentation with gusto and a delightfully over the top energy. It’s a testament to the strength of this record that it manages to contain depth but still retain SWMR’s trademark sarcastic, exuberant and bombastic style in a gleeful and exciting manner. As a listening experience, the record manages to be well-rounded and dynamic while still making for a purely entertaining listen. All in all Berkley’s On Fire is a noteworthy progression for SWMRS sonically and lyrically and an exhilarating, intelligent and dynamic record that’s sure to satisfy established fans while gaining some new ones too. If you were looking for evidence that punk’s not dead this is as a strong case as you’ll get.
Songs to Spin: “April in Houston”, “Lose Lose Lose”, “IKEA Date”, “Lonely Ghosts”, “Trashbag Baby”, “Berkeley’s On Fire”
Jukebox Journalist 