On a day with many hotly anticipated releases, Phoenix-based indie band The Format released ‘Boycott Heaven,’ their first album in nearly 20 years.
It also marks the first album featuring Nate Ruess, the voice of such hits as Fun’s “We Are Young” and Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason,” since 2015.
From the moment the duo surprise dropped their leading single “Holy Roller,” it was clear that Ruess and guitarist Sam Means were out to make a statement with their return. Every song on the record feels fresh and is bursting with raw emotion and rekindled youth without ever feeling sappy or forced.
The band is filled out by producer Brendan O’Brien (AC/DC, Pearl Jam) and legendary session drummer Matt Chamberlain (David Bowie, Elton John).
The lyrics are the true highlight of the album. Ruess’ words deal with everything from war (“Leave It Alone (Till the Morning)”) to mental health (“Depressed”) to religion (“Boycott Heaven”), displaying a personable, trademark style that aged like fine wine.
On my personal favorite track, the acoustic “Right Where I Belong,” Ruess sings, “If I’m ever getting old, then I’m getting old with you too.” The lyrics show that the duo’s true pride comes from the families they’ve raised in their hiatus, not their successful music careers. That authenticity is beautiful and impossible to fake.
Most of ‘Boycott Heaven’ is not nearly as laid-back, however. “No You Don’t” and “Shot In The Dark” are highlights of the album’s louder numbers. They show clear similarities to newer bands such as The Vaccines and iDKHOW while staying in touch with Means and Ruess’ pop sensibilities.
As someone who has followed Nate Ruess for a long time, I have always been fascinated by his propensity to shy away from the spotlight, only to steal it with ease no matter how loud (Fun’s “Some Nights”) or quiet (The Format’s “On Your Porch”) the song calls for him to be. There are very few singers today with such an effortlessly wide range, yet Ruess packs every note on the LP with a lifetime of emotion.
Album closer “Back To Life”, which sounds almost like an Electric Light Orchestra single, features Ruess repeating the mantra “I’m back to life” repeatedly until the song abruptly ends.
For a band like The Format, which has shown their ability to stay consistent for over twenty years, there’s no more fitting way to announce their return and end such a fantastic record.
8/10 (Must-listens: “Holy Roller,” “Right Where I Belong”)
