REVIEW: American Football - American Football (LP4)
- Mariia Bulkina
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Titans of emo, AMERICAN FOOTBALL started out in 1999 as mostly clueless unbridled teenagers. After their reunion 15 years later to release two new records, the band have lain low once again, practically up until recently. American Football (LP4) is undeniably the band's most mature and honest work yet, to the point that one could even be taken aback by their bluntness at the first listen. It is also the darkest and eeriest out of the four records, which is reflected by the apocalyptic, flaring red in the cover and visuals. It is a direct consequence of a life lived, and could only be felt and experienced by another human who's also lived their own life.
The first track greets us with a haunting atmosphere, mesmerising and mysterious humming throughout. It is like a beast slowly waking up, getting the listener to hold their breath in anticipation of what is to come. Musically, Man Overboard is one of the most remarkable parts of LP4, with complex and chaotic drumming and layered instrumentals. Almost an album in itself with the way it progresses, the outro builds up into a loud and unescapable horror scene.
Recovering from what felt like being hunted for prey, the rest of the album is plotted on a relatively slower and quieter sonic landscape. No Feeling is no exception, featuring an unexpected guest that is typically anything but quiet — TURNSTILE's one and only Brendan Yates. Indeed, here we get to experience his other side through mellisonant harmonic cries, but we know he can be trusted to feel it like no other. Paradoxically to its name, No Feeling is one of the most emotionally charged pieces on an already exposed electrical wire that is LP4. The song's narrative is full of distinct suicidal ideation. Even further, the voice wailing from nowhere and everywhere in the third verse makes it by that point almost unbearable to listen.
Bad Moons was the first single off LP4, and at the same time the longest track in the band's discography with an over 8-minute runtime. Interestingly, it originated as a collage of two separate works, later glued together by Mike Kinsella. Bad Moons begins as a nostalgic homage to childhood, with playground noises in the back and even slightly gleeful melodies to lead. Soon enough though, this turns into nothing but regret and sorrowful reflections. Here, the narrator explores 'the dark' as both a time and a place for pretty much every formative life event, whether it was for better or for worse. The other half of the composition is mellow, an emotional climax drifting to a slow fadeout.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL have grown to love a good feature on their records, and so LP4 was also fortunate to welcome WISP, an emerging shoegaze artist who is finally getting her flowers. Wake Her Up is already the most serene and entrancing composition, and being blessed with Natalie Lu's delicate, wispy vocals had elevated it to perfection. The song also includes a symphony of wind and string instruments, interrupted briefly by modulated effects on guitars. Although Wake Her Up sounds like a sweet love song, the lyrics follow the rest of LP4, encompassing morbid, killer motifs, creating an even more fascinating juxtaposition.
No Soul to Save is a cathartic ending. There is still an urge to hide away from the feelings and the truth, but Mike Kinsella decides to fight fire with fire, spilling the soul out to a grand audience of millions. It is almost designed in the same way as a theatre performance finishing, addressing the spectators directly. By now, the artist is tired of explaining himself to everyone around, wishing to disappear in peace. Although the album keeps circulating around ego death, regret, nostalgia, and despair; there is a certain progression from the beginning to the end, accepting the hardships of life at least slowly. In its entirety, LP4 is a testament to maturity and self-growth. No longer the boys they once were, AMERICAN FOOTBALL teach us that no matter how painful it is, we all go through it.
Score: 8/10
American Football (LP4) will be released on 1st May 2026 via Polyvinyl Record Co.
Words: Mariia Bulkina
Photos: Alexa Viscius
Comments