On their latest EP, Half Album, punk icons NOFX continue their album trilogy with a mix of entertaining and insightful lyrics. This record leaves no stone unturned. 

The opening of “Fake-A-Wish Foundation” is soft and loving, that initially seems unassuming. The lyrics start that way, too, until the lead singer and bassist Fat Mike completely expose their friend Brett. Brett posed to have brain cancer but had lied to multiple people.

The lyrical juxtaposition is obvious, as Brett’s actual death is mourned in a satirical but somewhat caring manner. It’s off-putting for a second, but it helps the record overall.

Mike’s lyricism makes this album unique. He has a great perspective on life, the people he has met and his actions.

“The Queen Is Dead” takes an opposite approach from the record’s opener. Mike is praying for someone he cares about, but he makes it a pop song.

Accompanied by the punk rock that Naja had always loved and supported, Mike puts some grizzled emotion into his voice that pushes through. The lyrics feel like a declaration of something that has truly been lost.

“My friend Naja, I hope you’re watching from above / It wasn’t sugar and spice you were made of / It was metal spikes and vodka on ice / But mostly you were made of love.”

However, the best song on the record pokes at a very furry metaphor. “I’m a Rat” is a traditional punk song with rousing guitar, fast-working percussion and a little touch of bass underneath, but Mike again takes the spotlight. The rat could be Mike himself. The addiction to cheese, the trap and even the rehabilitation that could be caused by an experiment all help to push this visual. Problems and healing aren’t just for humans; they can be for rodents, too.

“So I thanked them and apologized for all my bad behavior / I blamed it on my addiction to cheese / Now everybody likes me and thinks I’m rehabilitated / And I finally get to do what the f*** I please.”

In Half Album great thematic metaphor and nice sound production work together, creating a visually and lyrically appealing album.