REVIEW: Public Opinion - The Curse of Public Opinion
- Julia Stark
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
If GREEN DAY and THE HIVES had a lovechild, that would be a bit weird. But it would likely sound like rock-and-roll anthem highfliers PUBLIC OPINION, originating from the Colorado hardcore scene before reshaping their sound and their passion for music into the type of alt-punk-rock that leaves your voice hoarse and your feet knackered, but feels entirely worth the pains. With 1 album, multiple EPs and a handful of singles under their belt already, PUBLIC OPINION are ready to deliver their biggest project to date with new album The Curse Of Public Opinion, a 10-track listing of fiery revelry, explosive instrumentals, and potent lyrics that give “quiet guy” vocalist Kevin Hart (no affiliation to the actor) an outlet for his implosive feelings.
The Curse Of Public Opinion is more than the band’s sophomore album, it’s an admittedly pointed step away from the scene’s current music designed for self-catharsis and internal emotion, instead taking aim at everything wrong with the world and saying “fuck it, let’s stay angry”. Rather than a one-and-done album, this is to be experienced, absorbed, and then unleashed every time you feel pissed off, a deafening, mighty backdrop that adds volume to your pent-up feelings.
Balloon Man Running immediately kicks off with a power-driven anthem of epic rock riffs and an earworm chorus that sets the frenetic tone for the rest of the album, the lyrics lamenting a happiness that constantly feels out of reach yet you keep reaching, over muscly bass and a solid guitar solo. In less than 90 seconds Flowers By Irene leaves its mark with a quick-fire sound reminiscent of THE WHITE STRIPES, the layered screams on the bridge adding to the racing speed of guitarist Kevin Johnson’s riffs. I Pay Everyone I Still Talk To shifts the focus onto their instrumental flair in a pop-punk track that melds from alt verses into a boppy chorus, Sebastian Stanley ripping through with a deliciously distorted bass riff that complements and contradicts the woefulness of the lyrics.
Lucky Me is unquestionably Hart taking aim at himself, his lowered pitch and echoing bass tones of “it’s all my fault” from the opening bars spelling the theme for this punk-rock melody, abruptly switching gears into a revved up yell that feels all too relatable over a pummelling drum roll, gradually falling away to an acceptance that “fortune never comes in twos” and a lone bass line. Kicking back into anthemic rock with Johnson and Stanley bringing riffs that just won’t quit, Closed Captioning sees Hart lambasting himself and his day-in-day-out never changing routines, an alarm clock puncturing through in a jarring fashion before the ferocious beats collide with self-aware lyrics that scream for change. When Kevin Gets Free goes all in on the garage rock, a veritable feast of merciless drums and volcanic riffs adding to Hart’s vocals that soar and plummet like a rollercoaster.
Enhancement Talent opens with Johnson’s stunning guitar hooks gradually layered with an additional riff and Stanley’s punchy bass, the track’s feeling a difficult one to put a name with its cocktail of emotional notes and yearning lyrics as Hart pleads his case to someone seemingly indifferent to him, his promise of “I’ll stick around just in case” a juxtapose to his self-aware “I know it’s not okay”. Epitaph strips back on the anthemic rock yet it holds just as much power as the rest of the album in a way that compels you to listen to the heart-rending lyrics, the three-piece coming together for a melody that doesn’t rely on intricacies but is heavily muffled as if they’re trying to reach the listener from beyond a veil of feeling.
Modern Convenience shatters the spell Epitaph had us under with a furious punk-rock rhythm, frenetic riffs and solos, and catchy vocals that immediately attack with “I hate the way that you are”, I AM THE AVALANCHE’s Vinnie Caruana adding a gritty level to the track that demands to be screamed along to. Title track The Curse Of Public Opinion draws this experience to a close by taking us on a tour of all the genres that inspire the band, a hardcore element dragging us in before giving way to anthemic garage and punk rock rhythms underlying the passionate and defiant lyrics that feels like the 00s rock scene has been revived.
Score: 9/10
The Curse of Public Opinion will be released on 7th August 2026 via SideOneDummy Records.
Words: Julia Stark
Photos: Michael Dubin
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