Self-reflection with a late 90’s edge

On his 16th solo project, the Husker Du guitarist merges elements of punk and post-grunge to create an LP that targets the uncertainties of living in an ever-changing world. At 11 tracks and 31 minutes, brevity keeps Mould true to his punk roots, while a radio-friendly heaviness shifts the LP to the realm of post-grunge. 

Opening with the title track, Mould begins Here We Go Crazy with a radio-ready ballad with digestible verses and soaring hooks. Following the opening track, “Neanderthal” largely sets the tone for the rest of the album as a modernized post grunge track through percussive guitars and heartfelt vocal melodies. 

Here We Go Crazy’s strongest moments lie in Mould’s songwriting ability. Mould ties in intricate vocal melodies that mesh seamlessly into detailed lyrical accounts of love and life that are specific enough to him yet accessible to every listener. Tracks such as “Breathing Room”: “Cracks in the glass, see the fragments of sunlight/Illuminate my poor decisions” and “Fur Mink Augurs”: “Way more than anxious, this vibration leaves me wondering/ We’re spinning downward, did we lose our moral center?” are brief glimpses of lyrical mastery featured on the LP. 

Additionally, Mould’s guitar work sets a powerful foundation for each track. Thick, fuzzy riffs drive each song through each chorus and verse. Throughout most of the album, Mould’s instrumentation primarily serves as a backdrop for vocal melody although tracks such as “Hard To Get” feature an earworm guitar riff in sync with Mould’s lyrics. 

Through the highs of “Neanderthal” and “Here We Go Crazy”, Mould balances Here We Go Crazy with soul baring tracks such as “Lost or Stolen” and album closer, “Your Side”. The former being the only acoustic track and perhaps the darkest moment of the LP as Mould reflects on nihilistic tendencies as the latter suggests that our relationships are all we have left to hold on to in an out-of-control world.

With a late 90’s edge and accessible hooks, Here We Go Crazy finds Bob Mould delivering 31 minutes of self-reflection through his heartfelt rasp and intricate songwriting.