Canada continuing being the best North American country with a new release from Home Front. Home Front continues their blending of danceable pop punk combined with dark wave with Watch It Die. Throw in some abrasiveness here and there, and apocalyptic, bleak lyrics and you've got Home Front.
On first listen, I felt a bit disappointed and felt that this was a sure sophomore slump after Games Of Power, but with each listen, I warmed up more. I think they have a good arrangement going on their records - ensuring there's at least 2 anthemic ear worms per side (Watch It Die, Light Sleeper, For The Children). Just like Games of Power, though, there are a few weak spots per side too - to me, that's Between The Waves on side A - a bit too much like a Devo deep cut to me - and Kiss The Sky on Side B.
Despite that, the one that I keep coming back to is the opener on B, For The Children - "What do we get? Fuck all!" There's some additional surprises on Side B as well, like Dancing With Anxiety and Always This Way - songs that also grew on me after multiple listens. The closing track - Empire - is just a great close out, about the crumbling of the British Empire, with swelling music and all that.
Great record overall - one whose highlights far outweigh the couple of duds. Looking forward to seeing them in March 2026 with fellow canadian greats Béton Armé and Angel Du$t.