While still rooted in the anthemic pop-punk of their '90s roots, New Bruises have cracked their sound wide open on Chock Full of Misery, picking apart each song and putting it back together one piece at a time. The result is a record that hits harder while experimenting with greater dynamics and sonic left turns, keeping the full-steam-ahead feel of early Jawbreaker while infusing it with the nuance of Tim-era Replacements. It's sort of the band's Dear You, but without all the smooth vocals and kids slashing their tires. There's spacious slow-burners like “Five Questions” alongside catchy barn-storming jams like “One for the Looper,” a track-by-track lesson in keeping your sound eclectic while maintaining a darkly distinct tone throughout.
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