Ska superstars Less Than Jake are back and better than ever with their upcoming album Silver Linings, which drops on December 11th via Pure Noise Records.
When discussing the twelve-track album, Peter “JR” Wasilewski shares “We allowed ourselves to be vulnerable. In the past, previous records’ lyrics were about leaving a specific place or time. This is more about the departures in our personal lives: family, friends, relationships. We’ve never really explored that side. With this record, we tried to pull back that curtain. We’re showing some fragility in a time when people seem so hardened.”
While Less Than Jake has kept their upbeat, jamming ska sound, the lyrics reflect this depth and vulnerability Wasilewski describes.
“We’re not looking for silver linings,” he clarifies. “The record is about appreciating them. Nobody appreciates them until maybe it’s too late or maybe it’s after the fact.”
All Punked Up got an exclusive listen of the upcoming record. Be sure to check out our thoughts below and keep up with Less Than Jake on social media!
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | Website
Less Than Jake incorporate depth and vulnerability with their iconic ska sound in their upcoming album Silver Linings
As an avid Less Than Jake fan, I had high expectations for Silver Linings. I have to admit that my expectations for this record were exceeded.
The album opens with the anthemic track “The High Cost of Low Living” which has me singing along before the lyrics even start. While this track sends feel-good, dance-like vibes through your body, the lyrics hit hard: “one shot always turns to four” and “try to make a living” describes too many of us right now.
“Lie To Me” has a poppy intro that transitions into its frustrated-sounding verse with the opening lyric “What’s wrong with the world today?” and later the lyric “not a shred of faith inside” to show that this track is not as happy as the intro makes it seem. This song offers a clear story of how lies and disappointments quickly break people down and how ““the flames we hold the closest burn the worse.”
The track “Keep on Chasing” follows “Lie To Me” and its message can be captured by the chorus lyrics: “Love is like a drug / and it keeps me winning / always on the run and I keep on chasing /I don’t wanna go, but I think I have to now.” This song represents those situations where the dependence on a relationship makes it difficult to leave, even when leaving is a must.
The record hits close to home in almost every single track.
“Dear Me” is a sing-out-the-feelings bop, with fun, poppy riffs and lyrics that seem to represent how we all feel sometimes, especially with everything going on in the world. The song highlights the loss of friends due to distance and tragedy—something we can all relate to. Not only does “Dear Me” get you bouncing in your seat, but gets you thinking about how things got to the way they are and consider what is really good for your soul.
When “Monkey Wrench Myself” begins, I have a strong urge to push around a mosh pit. This track is the kind of song that really will fire up a crowd when live shows return. This song keeps with Less Than Jakes iconic ska-sound while also incorporating more modern pop-punk riffs and sounds.
Silver Linings closes with “So Much Less” which opens with a jazzy-feel, slower intro that makes me want to sway back and forth with my phone light. The verse comes in with vocals that are a little more tough than the smooth jazz and creates an almost pleading feeling, which matches with the chorus “Don’t leave me here, I’d rather disappear.”
My favorite track would have to be “Move” just because of how much the lyrics speak to the audience. Wrapped in this song’s fun riffs and sax solo are powerful lyrics about anxiety. This track describes how someone is stuck in their own head, unable to move, because of the anxieties that eat at them. The lyric “I’m finding it hard to trust who I am again” may speak to many of us who may have lost ourselves and are working our way back to who we want to be. The chorus is not only catchy but helps us accept who we are with the lyric “You get just what you see.”
Be sure to give Silver Linings a spin on your favorite streaming service tomorrow, December 11th!
You may also like: Hayley Williams releases stripped down version of “Simmer” off upcoming acoustic EP
Looking for THE scene podcast? Look no further. Unplugged w/ Tyler Winters & John Pearman is exactly what you need. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow or Subscribe below!
Sign-Up
Need a scene-related weekly newsletter? Sure you do. Never miss a thing in the alternative music scene by signing up for The All Punked Up Newsletter
