The Front Bottoms

Going Grey

ROCKS LIKE: The Hotelier, Depeche Mode, LCD Soundsystem

WHAT'S DIFFERENT: In short—a lot. While 2015’s Back On Top expanded the quirky New Jersey band’s sound a good degree, this record truly opens the floodgates. While still recognizable as the Front Bottoms—mainly due to frontman Brian Sella’s distinctive vocals and lyrical phrasing—musically, it’s a whole other ballgame. The guitar-led melody of “Raining” and “Ocean” are the closest to what could be termed the band’s “old sound,” but most of these songs have a more experimental, electronic edge, from the slowed-down euphoria of “You Used To Say (Holy Fuck)” to the foot-stomping Depeche Mode-isms of “Grand Finale” and the synth-heavy “Trampoline.”  

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: The Front Bottoms have one of the most devoted and dedicated fanbases in alternative music. It would have been incredibly easy for them to rest on their laurels and placate the faithful. Instead, they took a huge creative risk, pushing the idea of what—and who—they are as a band while still retaining their identity. And damn, does it sound good.

OUR PICK: “Grand Finale”

Fueled By Ramen http://www.fueledbyramen.com/