Is Mannequin Death Squad’s second album as Wise and Dangerous as it pretends to be? Let’s have a look! Review.
WISE AND DANGEROUS – MANNEQUIN DEATH SQUAD
If we go by the opening track, Keep Me Honest, then yes, Wise and Dangerous lives up to its name, and Mannequin Death Squad has much to offer. The sound is powerful, vibrates, and plays with pop as much as with saturation. It shows wisdom in the progression and danger in the execution. Their hardcore influences are felt more strongly in the unsettling atmosphere of Safe and Warm, featuring DZ Deathrays, and in the almost chaotic energy of Everybody’s Movin. Mannequin Death Squad’s thing is thrash pop: violent textures, a bold attitude, and yet a melody, a little hook that sticks like the greatest bops of recent years. All of it without ever being too smooth, of course, that’s a given.
The danger settles in the deep, sometimes menacing tone of chaotic moments. But wisdom is never far off. Quite Like You is a fine example. The track takes its time a bit more, but doesn’t abandon the textures that define the group. The tempo kicks back in with the in-your-face Don’t Care, this time featuring Emmy Mack. Once again, the mix of catchy melody over aggressive riffs works its magic. The contrast returns between the interlude Trying To Feel Something When All I Feel Is Nothing and the cathartic Monsters that follows. The energy pulses, and the duet isn’t afraid to go visceral, with striking vocals from the throat.
With Shame, the formula repeats itself with a different bite, a soft harmony for the intro before launching into a brief, thrilling punk storm. A mature, personal and introspective track that sums up the album’s energy well, now more grounded. Times That We Lived also seeks calmer, more thoughtful textures and tempos. Fight You nonetheless reminds us that danger can emerge from anywhere, from any riff, even wrapped in patience. And that sometimes fighting just isn’t worth it. Finally, Mannequin Death Squad close this new record, Wise and Dangerous, with Blueberry Hill, more pop than thrash pop. The whole thing is incredibly cohesive and mature, both in its personal touch and the desire to share a burning energy. Don’t miss it!
