Born out of the collective lived experience of those lucky enough to have crawled through the 1990’s and survived the onslaught of international traumas, post promise of progress, peace and prosperity, as we rang in the 21st century with a hopeful and dare-we-say-it naive optimism; Anti-Fun Propaganda prides itself as the current leading voice of reason, to the chaotic neutral territory most worldly-wise individuals flock to in moments of overwhelming exhaustion with the never ending validated pearl clutching, having heard the top atrocities of the day’s news cycles.
Never a band to shy away from political proclamations, venturing into discussions on gender and sexuality, as well as ruminating on the volatile times we haven’t been able to shake; one of Anti-Fun…’s most intriguing qualities lies in its juxtaposing sonically energising balm effect, considering the heaviness of the subject matter littered throughout its runtime, the perfect balance of potent juvenihilism is utterly fascinating, while also being fiercely entertaining and engaging.
Gen and the Degenerates have consistently packed their sound with a plethora of influences in an effort to present a united force of individualistic expression and liberty, which leaves us reminiscing enticing qualities of bands like, Juliette & The Licks tongue in cheek jubilations, Starbenders unrelenting hardness and the Lambrini Girls “no fucks given” truth saying attitude; the impressiveness of this album and the amount of effort laced in its preaching and teachings, is especially important to celebrate considering it’s G&D’s first full length studio album to their discography.
Such tracks of particular interest besides Anti-Fun…’s lead singles ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’, ‘Famous’ and ‘Kids Wanna Dance’; include the likes of the Queer centric taste of desire anthem ‘Girls!’ featuring the Glaswegian Alt-Rock quartet Uninvited, which discusses the audible equivalent of the female gaze, passive misogyny and the rejection of societal pressures associated with heteronormativity, as well as the albums mid-way interlude ‘Plan B’, which feels like a retrospective self-soothing exercise that emulates some Sweeney Tood ‘By The Sea’ vibes.
In a move which vastly differs from the sugar tinged confrontations we grew rather fond of on Anti-Fun Propaganda came the pensive shifting overtones of their closing track ‘Jude’s Song’. As explained by Gen, this six-and-a-half minute emotive rock ballad, was written in honour of their late aunt, not only as a way of lovingly commemorating them, but to also take back the power in their name after schoolyard bullies taunted her with the beginning bars of The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’ on a daily basis. With what feels more theatrically dramatic, this intimate look at familial loss and remembrance is not only rather touching, but also expertly exhibits G&D’s incredible range in their musicianship as well as in their songwriting abilities.
Anti-Fun Propaganda, is a piece of work worthy of ever mounting attention and adoration, in light of its ability to welcome you into their informed celebration of all that’s dire and depressing, all the while safely guiding us through the drudges of forced quarter life crisis immersion with some tender loving care and much needed validation.