No one writes records like this anymore. Or maybe they do, but not with this much heart, this much piss and vinegar, this much melodic clarity masked in punk rock bruise. Brisbane’s Flangipanis didn’t reinvent the wheel with Fuckin’ Woo, but they sure as hell got it spinning again at a speed that makes your insides jolt. Fifteen tracks, no frills, no filler, just unrelenting, joyful chaos. This isn’t your sanitized, Spotify-optimized, algorithm-chiseled punk rock. This is spit-in-your-eye, beer-soaked, non-compromising punk rock from a band that’s been around long enough to know how to weaponize sincerity. Fuckin’ Woo is Flangipanis at their sharpest, a short, fast, loud exorcism of frustration, fun, and ferocity that immediately confirms what punk sounds like when no one’s playing nice. What Flangipanis accomplish here isn’t just a revival of the late 1990s and early 2000s skate punk, pop punk, and melodic hardcore aesthetic. This is a punk rock record with all its blood still pumping. You’ll hear echoes of Guttermouth, No Doubt, Tilt, Avail, Blink-128, maybe even some of the barbed wit of Less Than Jake, Suicide Machines, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. But make no mistake, Fuckin’ Woo doesn’t lean on references. It stands on its own, bruised, tattooed, and running flat out on its legs.
The vocals are the centerpiece of this blitz, and they’re both loud and vital. There’s venom and edge, but also a perfect balance between snarling delivery that still hits melodies dead-on, as if bitterness and beauty are twisted together in her throat. Each syllable hits like a spark from a dragging chain, and when the harmonies come in, they don’t cushion the blow, but drive even deeper. Lyrically, the album doesn’t waste time with abstraction or hollow sloganeering. This is razor-sharp, streetwise, and gloriously pissed-off writing. There’s wit here, but never at the expense of truth. Fuckin’ Woo offers exactly the kind of catharsis you want nowadays, one that doesn’t pretend the world’s fine but still makes you want to scream along like it’s the only way to survive it. These are songs made to be screamed back at the stage, beers spilled, and fists raised while singing along. Too often, melodic punk bands fall into the trap of over-polishing their tone, sanding off the rawness in the name of clarity, but not here. The guitars on Fuckin’ Woo roar all the time, with each riff moving with meaning, chasing highs and lows like the songs depend on it. There’s crunch, lift, and just enough chaos in the chord progressions to keep your ears perked for every turn. These riffs carry the meaning as much as the lyrics do.
The rhythm section deserves full credit here, too. The basslines are active without ever being showy, pushing the songs forward with a round and fierce tone, anchoring the guitars when they veer into brighter territory. As is usually the case on melodic punk rock records, the drumming is tight, energetic, and punchy. Not overly compressed, not robotic, just perfectly human and powerful, the drumming that drives the pit, not the click track. This album hits a sweet spot that’s usually hard to land. It’s raw and tight without being neutered, yet it has that addictive polish over the top. However, there’s no digital gloss here. Fuckin’ Woo was recorded with real instruments, real people, and real stakes, resulting in fifteen excellent songs worth spinning over and over again. Every snare hit cuts, every vocal growl lands, every gang vocal sounds like it was recorded professionally on the punk rock gig. There are more bands than ever, but few that cut through the noise with this kind of clarity and confidence. Flangipanis stand out because they mean it. Every word, riff, and beat is here with a purpose. They’re one of those bands that show up in the middle of a stacked festival lineup and remind everyone why they started listening to punk in the first place. If Fuckin’ Woo doesn’t make you want to start a band, tear down a wall, or scream just to feel alive, you might want to check your pulse. This album is that good, and more than necessary in times when punk rock music usually sounds overly produced. But not these folks. Flangipanis bite hard, and Fuckin’ Woo is their most vicious, vital, and thrilling release yet. Head to Keep It A Secret Records for more information about ordering this punk rock gem in Europe.
Thoughts Words Action 