Atanaria
Bob Mould has nothing left to prove, but that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down. On his fifteenth solo album, Here We Go Crazy, the punk rock veteran delivers a powerful blend of ferocious energy, anthemic hooks, and reflective moments, showcasing the signature style he has honed over decades. The album is a tight, electrifying ride that manages to pack its punch in just under forty minutes.
The title track and first single, Here We Go Crazy, kicks things off with a nostalgic nod to Mould’s Sugar-era power pop. The layered guitars and soaring melodies are classic Mould, a high-energy anthem that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Meanwhile, Neanderthal shifts gears into a raw, aggressive punk assault, featuring Jon Wurster’s relentless drumming and Mould’s biting lyrics about anxiety and survival instincts.
While the album leans heavily on Mould’s signature high-octane sound, he still carves out space for emotional depth and nuance. Tracks like Breathing Room explore themes of heartbreak and self-preservation, while Sharp Little Pieces embraces a darker, more intense atmosphere with some of the album’s most memorable lyrics. Yet, there are glimmers of hope scattered throughout, as seen in You Need to Shine, an uplifting anthem of resilience, and Lost or Stolen, an acoustic reflection on uncertainty and self-discovery.
Mould’s ability to balance intensity with moments of catharsis is one of his greatest strengths, and Here We Go Crazy highlights this duality beautifully. Songs like When Your Heart is Broken offer a surprisingly upbeat take on emotional turmoil, while Thread So Thin builds into a grunge-tinged power ballad before the album closes with Your Side, a heartfelt stadium-ready love song that defies the album’s prevailing themes of fear and trauma with a message of devotion and hope.
Here We Go Crazy proves that Bob Mould remains a master of his craft. Whether he’s delivering blistering punk, melancholic introspection, or stadium-sized anthems, Mould continues to refine and perfect his sound. Longtime fans will find plenty to love, and newcomers will discover an artist who, after decades in the game, is still making music that feels vital and urgent. If this is Mould’s way of refining his style through simplicity, brevity, and clarity, then mission accomplished. YES!
